THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410220438
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Anthony MacAuley is a young man who doesn't take no for an answer. MacAuley, a burly defenseman, was cut by the Hampton Roads Admirals earlier this week.
But MacAuley is still in Norfolk and says he'll stay until the Admirals change their mind.
``This is a great organization,'' said the 23-year-old graduate of Dalhousie University in Canada.
``Everyone gets treated so well here. The management and the fans are so good. I got treated too well to give up on this situation.''
MacAuley is living with Admirals' goaltender Patrick LaLime. The Admirals are no longer paying him or providing living expense, so he's spending his own money to make ends meet.
He's running and lifting weights to stay in shape. And waiting.
``At some point they're going to lose a player or two, to callups or injuries,'' MacAuley said. ``I want to be here when that happens. I really want to make this team.''
Admirals coach John Brophy says he admires MacAuley, a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who played against Admirals assistant coach Al MacIsaac in college.
``He's a good player who can play on this level,'' Brophy said.
``We like him. And he's very determined.
``But we can't make any promises.''
MacAulay says he doesn't need any. ``I'm one of those guys that you can't say no to,'' he said. ``When someone tells me no, I want to prove them wrong.''
FIRST PUCK: The ceremonial first puck was tossed out by Justin Solowoski, perhaps the most dedicated of the Admirals fans. Solowoski is a wheelchair-bound teenager who has attended nearly every Admirals game since the team's inception.
He has a flashing red light on his wheelchair that he turns on each time the Admirals score.
``He's quite a kid,'' Admirals captain Dennis McEwen said.
PASS THE HAT: Hockey players might be ornery and violent on the ice, but the Admirals showed Friday they can be puppydogs at heart.
The Admirals took up a collection for Gary Mansfield, their assistant trainer. Mansfield works full-time at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and part-time for the Admirals.
He missed two days of work last week because he was on a road trip with the Admirals.
``He gives up a lot to be with us,'' McEwen said. ``We felt we ought to give him a little something.''
The money was presented to him as the team was busing to North Carolina late Friday night. by CNB