THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 15, 1994 TAG: 9409150626
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals traded Shawn Snesar and Daniel Chaput, two of their most popular players, to the Richmond Renegades on Wednesday for defenseman Rob MacInnis and left winger Colin Gregor.
The Admirals also announced that an exhibition game against a Russian team on Jan. 4 at Scope has been finalized, though it won't be with the team originally scheduled. The Admirals will play Khimik of the Russian Elite League instead of the Soviet Wings, a traveling all-star team.
``We have a written commitment (from Khimik),'' Admirals president Blake Cullen said.
Khimik is a Moscow suburb whose hockey team was 5-8-1 in 1989-90 and 1990-91 in exhibition games against NHL clubs. Six former Khimik players are in the NHL.
MacInnis, a veteran of both the American Hockey League and International Hockey League, scored 27 points in 27 games for the Renegades last season. A 6-foot, 200-pounder from Inverness, Nova Scotia, MacInnis came to Richmond at midseason after briefly retiring.
Gregor, a 6-0, 190-pound native of New Sarapta, Alberta, had 10 goals and 21 assists in 40 games for Richmond last season, his first as a professional. He played collegiately at Acadia University.
Admirals coach John Brophy, who is in Maine at the preseason camp of the AHL's Portland Pirates, said giving up Snesar and Chaput ``was a difficult decision to make.''
Snesar played three seasons and Chaput one for the Admirals. Snesar is the all-time penalty leader for Hampton Roads with 674 minutes in the box.
``They've both been solid players and solid citizens,'' Brophy said. ``But we needed the addition up front.''
Snesar and Chaput are both defensemen. Gregor is viewed as the likely backup at left wing to Rod Taylor, who led the team in scoring last season with 88 points (54 goals, 34 assists).
``MacInnis is a great point man, a good defenseman,'' Brophy said. ``And we need some help on the left side. We're kind of weak there. Gregor is a big, strong kid who wants to play.
``Chaput has two years left (before he's classified as a veteran). But we wanted a left winger and they wanted Chaput.''
There had been questions about the status of both Chaput and Snesar. Chaput is coming off surgery for an ankle injury suffered in roller hockey, and Snesar had indicated he wanted to play in a higher league, or perhaps Europe.
Though Gregor almost certainly will be in the Admirals' training camp when it opens Oct. 7, MacInnis is unsigned. ``The next thing for us is to get him signed,'' Brophy acknowledged. ``But I think he wants to play hockey this season.''
Added Cullen: ``I think all four players involved in the trade will report and play.''
The Admirals are limited by East Coast Hockey League rules to three veterans - players entering their fourth season - and MacInnis and Taylor will count against that limit. Dennis McEwen, the only player remaining from the first Admirals team in 1989, likely will be the third veteran.
Brophy said he's encouraged by what he has seen in Portland, the Admirals' AHL affiliate.
``We saw about 24 players, and eight or 10 are free agents,'' he said. ``We've got a good nucleus of returning players. If we come out of here with a couple of players, we'll be all right.'' by CNB