THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411240853
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Phil Berger, long reviled by Hampton Roads Admirals fans, apparently is returning to Greensboro and will make his 1994-95 debut for the Monarchs Friday at Scope.
Berger, who scored 482 points in five ECHL seasons, began this season in the German Elite League, but returned last month to play for Detroit of the Colonial Hockey League.
He will sign on with Greensboro today as a player/assistant coach assuming he clears waivers in the Colonial, reports the Greensboro News and Record.
The Monarchs needed a number of things to break their way for Berger to return.
First, assistant coach John Torchetti was named coach of San Antonio in the Colonial. ECHL rules forbid teams from having an assistant coach and a player assistant.
Then they traded popular veteran Darryl Noren to Charlotte for Howie Rosenblatt. That opened up a spot for a veteran, and Berger is a veteran.
Greensboro coach Jeff Brubaker said he expects Berger to clear waivers in the Colonial, the final hurdle. ECHL teams are not allowed to call up players from the Colonial unless they have cleared waivers.
Berger, a flamboyant player with rock-star like charisma who has worn long flowing hair through most of his career, has taken particular pleasure in bedeviling Admirals fans.
Several years ago he was ejected from Scope for making an obscene gesture. Last season he circled the ice and taunted fans after scoring the winning goal in the Monarchs' last appearance at Scope.
When he signed to play in Germany, Admirals officials were skeptical. Said team president Blake Cullen: ``I'll bet he's back in Greensboro by Thanksgiving.''
He was off by a day.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING: It will be business as usual for the Admirals this morning, who practice at Scope before celebrating Thanksgiving. With Greensboro at Scope Friday and a game at first-place Richmond Saturday, coach John Brophy said the team could not afford a day off.
Some of the Admirals will celebrate in the afternoon with family. Kelly Sorensen will eat with his girlfriend's family. Tom Menicci's father, Sal, is in town and is taking his son to dinner.
Eight Admirals with no family in town will dine at the Norfolk home of Rich and Holly Aleks.
Curiously, today isn't truly Thanksgiving for the 11 Admirals who are are Canadian. Canada's Thanksgiving Day was Oct. 11, and Cullen treated the Admirals to dinner that night.
``I haven't been in Canada for Thanksgiving for seven years,'' said Sorensen, who played college hockey at Farris State in Michigan before coming to Hampton Roads three years ago.
``I've kind of adopted the American Thanksgiving.''
ADMIRALS ALUMNI: Shamus Gregga, the goaltender cut by the Admirals last week, has been signed by Jacksonville of the Sunshine Hockey League.
Forward Bill Lang, who was sold to Columbus, scored two goals in his first three games for the Chill. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Brendan Curley of the Admirals, left, moves in behind Lenny Pereira
of Raleigh during early action Wednesday at Scope.
by CNB