THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 5, 1994 TAG: 9410050673
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Forward Brendan Curley will play for the Hampton Roads Admirals this season, but defenseman Rob MacInnis, a veteran obtained in a trade with Richmond, will not.
Brian Goudie, a defenseman who had been expected to play in Portland of the American Hockey League, will also be among approximately 30 prospective Admirals who will open training camp Sunday at Scope. He was cut by Portland, though Admirals' officials think he'll eventually be recalled.
``We've got him now,'' Admirals president Blake Cullen said. ``But who knows for how long? We'll have to wait and see.''
Curley, who led the Admirals with 54 assists as a rookie last season, made a verbal commitment to Hampton Roads Tuesday after being cut by Portland last week.
Admirals officials had been worried Curley would be lured by money to the Colonial Hockey League, considered a step below the East Coast Hockey League.
The Admirals were forced to offer him less than some Colonial teams because of the ECHL's $6,000-per-week salary cap.
``It's unfortunate with our restrictions that we are limited in what we could offer,'' Cullen said.
``I'm against the cap. I think it's crazy. We should get rid of it and pay players what they're worth.
``But as long as we have the cap, we're not going to break the rules.''
Unlike Curley, the veteran MacInnis, 29, said he could not play for the salary the Admirals offered.
``We knew there was some question about whether he would play or not when we traded for his rights,'' Cullen said. ``But he was getting paid way more last year than we were led to believe.''
Hampton Roads obtained the rights to MacInnis and left winger Colin Gregor in a trade for defensemen Shawn Snesar and Daniel Chaput. Gregor will be in camp.
Curley's return is welcome news, Cullen said.
``We're delighted to have him back,'' he said. ``He's versatile. He can play center, he can play wing. He's a hard-nosed, skilled player.''
The Admirals play four exhibition games next week, including home games with Johnstown Oct. 13 and Wheeling Oct. 14, before opening the regular season Oct. 18 in Roanoke.
Cullen says Portland might cut several players before camp opens.
``I'm on pins and needles,'' he said. ``They have three guys sitting in the stands that could wind up here.
``I'm optimistic we'll get some players.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Brendan Curley
by CNB