THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 30, 1994 TAG: 9411300595
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
``The Original Admiral'' is eligible to come off the injured-reserve list today, when the Hampton Roads Admirals host Roanoke at Scope. But Dennis McEwen doesn't expect to be playing hockey any time soon.
McEwen, the only player left from the Admirals' first practice nearly six years ago, is a veteran - a player with more than three years of pro experience. ECHL teams are limited to three veterans, and the Admirals already have three on their active roster in Rod Taylor, Trevor Halverson and Rob MacInnis.
For now, McEwen appears to be the odd man out.
He'll likely remain on the injured-reserve list indefinitely - until one of the veterans is hurt or is called up by Portland.
Coach John Brophy said McEwen won't be waived, but he wouldn't comment further.
``I don't think that's going to happen,'' Brophy said of McEwen being released. ``We don't want to give up good players for nothing. McEwen will wind up fitting in somehow. He always fits in sooner or later.''
McEwen, who had his best offensive season for Hampton Roads a year ago, sprained his ankle in the Admirals' sixth game and was placed on the two-week injured-reserve list. Two weeks later, he was placed on the 30-day list even though the injury had nearly healed.
A dearth of players, rather than the ankle, was the more likely explanation for the extension. Since then the Admirals have added MacInnis, and in the process gained a veterans problem.
``It's been very frustrating,'' McEwen said. ``I know I can contribute to this team. It's hard being on the sidelines, and it was even harder when the team got off to a slow start. I miss playing.''
McEwen continues to practice and travel with the team. He's doing color commentary on WTAR radio on some road games. And he's doing what any good veteran should do - working with rookies to instill confidence and the lessons he's learned as a pro.
``I try to be a free spirit, to keep the guys' attitudes up,'' he said. ``I'll take the young guys aside when they have some problems. Jimmy Brown has approached me a couple of times. He's struggling a little now and he's not sure what's going on.
``I try to show them that the game is fun. If they know I'm not playing and I go out there as a veteran, not even sure of what my position is on the team, not playing in games, and still have fun in practice, that's a good example.
``There's a lot of pressure on these guys to win, and we've got so many young guys with minimal pro experience.''
Other teams, especially Columbus and Toledo, likely would be interested in McEwen if the Admirals proposed a trade. But McEwen is married to radio personality Carol Lewis, lives in Virginia Beach year-round and works for a local printing company, Coastal Forms & Data Products Inc.
If he's traded, he says he'll retire.
``This is my home now,'' he said. ``I love the game, but not so much that I want to be living someplace else. I only want to play here. There's nothing I can do about my situation, except to keep working hard in practice.''
And keep waiting. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Dennis McEwen's ankle is healed, but right now there's no room on
the ice.
by CNB