THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 30, 1994 TAG: 9409300657
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals could get some air time on cable television if the NHL season is held up by a lockout.
Admirals president Blake Cullen said Home Team Sports officials have inquired about televising several games from Scope. HTS is the cable outlet for the Washington Capitals, the Admirals' NHL affiliate.
Moreover, Cullen says he's had similar discussions with sportscaster Tom Mees of ESPN. Mees has worked for Cullen in recent years, doing play-by-play of Admirals games on local television.
``Tom said ESPN already has a schedule of International and American (Hockey) League games,'' Cullen said. ``I told him that we'd love to have ESPN here.''
He said Mees discussed the possibility of broadcasting East Coast Hockey League games at an ESPN meeting this week.
Cullen concedes that the chances of ESPN coming to Scope are iffy, but he thinks the Admirals' hopes of getting on HTS are good.
``Whenever the big leagues go on strike, the minor leagues get exposure,'' Cullen said. ``I'm hoping there won't be a strike, but if there is, we'll work to get some games on TV. It would be great exposure for our players and for our franchise.''
WILL CURLEY RETURN? The Admirals had expected that forward Brendan Curley, who scored 79 points last season, would be cut by Portland, the Capitals' AHL affiliate, then report to Norfolk. But after Curley was cut earlier this week, his agent was noncommital when speaking with Cullen.
``He didn't respond to our offer,'' Cullen said. ``We have his rights in this league, but there are other leagues.''
Cullen is worried about losing Curley in large part because some other leagues don't have a salary cap. The ECHL salary cap is $6,000 per week per team.
The Admirals also have yet to sign veteran Rob MacInnis, a defensemen whose rights they received in a trade with Richmond.
``We've talked to him and he says he's coming,'' Cullen said.
HALVERSON IS BACK: The Admirals got a pleasant surprise when veteran Trevor Halverson, cut earlier this week by Las Vegas of the IHL, called Brophy and agreed to play for Hampton Roads.
Halverson, who played for San Diego and Milwaukee of the IHL last season, is a forward who played for Hampton Roads and for Baltimore of the AHL two years ago.
``He called John and said he was treated well here,'' Cullen said. ``Money was not a factor for him. He wants to play.
``He's a great acquisition. He's an American Hockey League-caliber player. We're excited that he's coming.''
Halverson's signing might leave the Admirals an oversupply of veterans. Rod Taylor recently agreed to contract terms and Dennis McEwen, a five-year veteran in Hampton Roads, will be in camp. League rules limit each team to three veterans - players entering their fourth season of hockey.
There was good news for the Admirals involving other players. Forward Jim Brown, considered a rising star, agreed to report to camp after being cut by Portland.
Forward Jason MacIntyre and goalie Shamus Gregga, both cut by Portland, also say they'll be at Scope when camp opens Oct. 9.
Defenseman Brian Goudie and left wing Andrew Brunette, who played last season for Hampton Roads, both will play in Portland.
Notes on other players:
Darren Perkins probably won't be back. He's signed a contract with Prince Edward Island of the AHL.
Goalie Mark Michaud is in Cincinnati, and Cullen says he'll come to camp in Norfolk late if he's cut.
Wade Bartley, a veteran who had contacted the Admirals after playing in Austria last season, is in Denver's camp and probably will go to Birmingham if he's cut.
TWO-SPORT PRO: Forward Kelly Sorensen will play for the Admirals, though his golf career appears to be taking off as well.
Last week he passed the PGA Player Ability Test at the Williamsburg Country Club Course, which will allow him to become a Class A professional. Sorensen had a score of 149 over 36 holes, five below the cut. Sorensen is the assistant golf pro at Honey Bee Golf Course in Virginia Beach.
``I was pretty pleased,'' he said. ``This is a big step for me.''
He says he'll report to camp in shape.
``I've been skating by myself in the mornings'' at Iceland in Virginia Beach, he said.
``I'll be ready.'' by CNB