THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 14, 1995 TAG: 9502140421
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
Chris Phelps is a born-again Christian, which by itself isn't remarkable. There are thousands in Hampton Roads and millions nationwide.
What sets Phelps apart is that he plays hockey, a violent game in which players sometimes hack each other with sticks and punch opponents until they've opened bloody gashes.
Phelps, a defenseman for the Hampton Roads Admirals, has been in seven fights this season and can wield a stick or a fist with the best in the ECHL.
Yet he is a man of faith.
``Sometimes I have a hard time with the violent side of hockey,'' Phelps said. ``But in the Bible, David did not run from Goliath. He ran at Goliath. He didn't go at him passively.
``God has put me on the ice. I play hockey wholeheartedly under God. I give 100 percent on the ice.''
Even when it comes time to drop his gloves.
``I don't go out looking to fight,'' he said. ``But it's part of my job. God gives me the strength to protect myself. In my first exhibition game here, with Johnstown, (Brandon) Christian wanted to fight. I didn't back down. I was giving up 50 or 60 pounds, and I held my own.
``It's part of the game and always will be, so it's part of my job.''
Phelps, 6 feet and 180 pounds, excels at most parts of his job. The 21-year-old rookie was named to the ECHL All-Star team last month. With 40 points in 49 games, he is the leading scorer among Admirals defensemen.
Coach John Brophy says Phelps has the talent to move up to a higher league.
``He's a great skater and has a great shot,'' Brophy said. ``He's got a lot of the qualities it takes to get to the American Hockey League or the National Hockey League. The only thing he's missing is a few pounds. He would be better with five or 10 more pounds.
``He's a nice young man, but he's as tough as he can be on the ice. He'll do anything he can to keep you from scoring.''
Witness the Admirals' 5-2 loss at Greensboro two weeks ago, in which Phelps was ejected for raising his stick and slashing an opposing player on the arm. He has carried on a bitter rivalry with Scott Gruhl, the 35-year-old Richmond veteran, with whom he's fought twice.
Years ago, Phelps also took part in the sometimes unseemly, off-the-ice side of hockey.
``I used to to party and drink and chase women with the best of them,'' he said. ``A lot of the time, I was the lead guy.''
But the native of suburban Detroit was saved 2 1/2 years ago, shortly after his father, John, was saved.
``My dad talked to me, and the Lord just started putting His thoughts in my heart,'' Phelps said. ``I didn't realize that the Bible said the only way to heaven is to be born again. I came to the decision that I needed to change, that the drinking and partying and chasing after girls were getting me nowhere.
``My whole life just changed. My hockey took off and started flourishing. I'd been injured and traded and was wondering where my career was going, and then it just took off.
``I'd probably be in the gutter somewhere right now if God hadn't touched me.''
Phelps shares his faith with his teammates, though he doesn't tread where he's not wanted. He's persuaded roommate Shamus Gregga, a devout Roman Catholic, to attend Rock Church in Virginia Beach with him several times. He and Jason MacIntyre and Ron Majic, two of the Admirals toughest players, often discuss the Bible.
``I don't believe in forcing my faith on anybody,'' he said. ``I believe if God puts the opportunity there for me to talk about what God has done in my life, then I do it.
``And I'm not perfect. I'm far from it. Everybody struggles and falls sometimes, everyone's a sinner. But you can repent and let Jesus change your life.
``I see so many guys running around who are unhappy. All I can do is pray until God puts an impression on their hearts.
``People think you have to give up so much. They don't realize how happy they can be. If you're under the perfect will of God, there is no more true happiness.''
Phelps will be married this summer to Dawn Kennedy, a native of Ottawa, where he played junior hockey last season. ``God sent me an angel in Dawn,'' he said.
He isn't sure how they'll make ends meet - the average salary of $350 per week in the ECHL doesn't leave much left over.
``I hope to be in the AHL or IHL next year,'' he said. ``I've put it all in God's hands. He'll lead me.''
Phelps said his faith led him to Norfolk.
``I was in camp with Cornwall (of the AHL) when the NHL lockout was announced,'' he said. ``Players started coming down from the NHL to Cornwall, and so they released me.
``They (Cornwall officials) wanted me to go to Greensboro, their ECHL affiliate.
``I talked to my agent (Larry Kelly of Ottawa) and prayed about it. God let me know that I should have faith in my agent.''
The agent sent him to Norfolk.
``I was a little leery of coming to this league,'' he said. ``I'd heard horror stories, that it was nothing but a goon league.
``But the league has been awesome. The talent here is great, and I love playing for the fans and for Broph.
``God sent me to the right place. He always does.'' ILLUSTRATION: Yvonne Paxson
Coach John Brophy says Admirals defenseman Chris Phelps has the
talent to move up. He's got a lot of the qualities it takes to get
to the American Hockey League or the National Hockey League.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB