THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 15, 1994 TAG: 9411150464
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
Instead of trading players as he had threatened to do, Hampton Roads Admirals coach John Brophy signed a highly regarded goaltender Monday.
Corwin Saurdiff, a 22-year-old native of Warroad, Minn., was obtained from the Kansas City Blades of the IHL. He likely will play Friday when the Admirals host Charlotte.
Saurdiff is under contract to the San Jose Sharks, who signed him in 1993 after his sophomore season at Northern Michigan University. He was the Blades' second goaltender last season, with a 6-9-1 record and a 4.69 goals-against average in 17 games. He also has seen limited exhibition duty with the Sharks.
Saurdiff, on San Jose's 50-man roster, is the first player with an NHL contact to play in Hampton Roads in two seasons.
Hampton Roads president Blake Cullen said the Admirals claimed Saurdiff after receiving a letter from Kansas City. The letter, addressed to all ECHL teams, asked anyone interested in Saurdiff to contact the Blades.
San Jose has a working agreement with Roanoke, but the Express has two goalies ranked among the league's top 12 and wasn't interested in Saurdiff.
The Admirals also have two goaltenders - Patrick LaLime and Shamus Gregga - and one must go if Saurdiff is added to the roster Friday. Brophy wouldn't say Monday when he'll make a move.
Saurdiff spoke with Cullen on Friday and drove to Hampton Roads over the weekend. He was ready to practice Monday, but Brophy gave him the day off.
``I was anxious to get on the ice and I'm anxious to get to know my new teammates,'' Saurdiff said.
Kansas City released Saurdiff, its backup goaltender, after obtaining goalie Larry Dyck from the Milwaukee Admirals.
Saurdiff said he made just one demand of Kansas City coach Jim Wiley when he was told he'd be playing in the ECHL.
``I told him I don't want to get called back up every time somebody gets a runny nose,'' he said. ``If I make a commitment to a team and the team is depending on me and I'm depending on my teammates, I don't want to go back to Kansas City to sit.
``I'm thrilled to be here. Playing hockey in a resort area for this organization is a pretty good deal.''
NO DEAL(S): Brophy talked trade with several teams, as he had promised to do following a 6-2 loss at Greensboro on Saturday, but no trades were made Monday and none are expected any time soon.
The Admirals practiced twice Monday and will practice again twice today.
``Broph worked us pretty hard,'' defenseman Ron Pascucci said.
Brophy said the players have responded well to his demands for more intensity on ice. At 5-7-1, the Admirals are off to their worst start ever and are last in the East Division. The Admirals have lost four in a row, one short of tying a club record.
``The players are tired of being laughed at,'' Brophy said. ``I wish we had a game (today) or Wednesday this week. They're angry. I hope that hasn't worn off by Friday.''
SEEING DOUBLE: If you've attended a recent Admirals game or practice session and thought you saw a double of assistant coach Al MacIsaac, you're not losing your mind. He's Ian MacIsaac, Al's twin brother, who is in Hampton Roads for a visit.
``I keep calling him Al,'' Brophy said of Ian. ``I've never seen two people look more alike.''
Ian, like Al, was a junior and minor pro hockey player even though he was born with just one lung.
``He was a good goaltender and a tough player,'' Al MacIsaac said.
SHORT STICKS: Center John Porco had scored a goal in eight consecutive games before being shut out in Greensboro. He leads the Admirals and is third in the league with 12 goals. ... Cullen, MacIsaac, Pascucci and team captain Dennis McEwen all spoke at the Norfolk Sports Club's weekly meeting Monday. ``People keep telling me that they're sure I'm not used to losing,'' said Cullen, a major league baseball executive for 22 seasons. ``Actually, I do know how it feels. I was with the Cubs for 11 years.'' ... Friday's game with Charlotte could be the Admirals' third sellout. Only 2,300 tickets remained Monday. ... Hampton Roads is second in the ECHL attendance race with an average of 7,638, about 500 more per game than at the same point last season. South Carolina leads at 9,169. Charlotte is third at 7,306. ... McEwen, Pascucci, Kelly Sorensen, Rick Kowalsky, Tom Menicci, Jim Brown, Jason MacIntyre and Trevor Halverson will pour drink refills Wednesday night for customers at the Spaghetti Warehouse in Norfolk until 9. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Tidewater Literacy Council. by CNB