THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502150582
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals made their first trade of the season on Tuesday, the last day in which ECHL trades are allowed, swapping center Jim Brown to Knoxville in return for George Zajankala.
Zajankala, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound left wing, was second for Knoxville in scoring with 18 goals and 24 assists. He has a plus-minus of minus-13 and 131 penalty minutes.
Zajankala, a British Columbia native who played briefly for Cleveland of the IHL last season, will play tonight when the Admirals host Roanoke at Scope.
``He's a big strong guy who should help us in the playoffs,'' coach John Brophy said.
Brown, who came to the Admirals late last season from junior hockey, is fourth in scoring with 24 goals and 21 assists. He had a hat trick against Charlotte earlier this season, but Brophy said he has not played consistently well.
``He's a very nice kid and has some talent,'' Brophy said. ``Nothing against Jimmy, but he didn't want to do the other things on the ice.
``We hope he does well in Knoxville. We felt this was a trade we needed to make.''
Brown was visibly shaken by the news - delivered by Brophy following Tuesday's practice.
One of the first things he did was to call his parents and cancel a family meeting planned for March in Virginia Beach.
``I'm disappointed,'' Brown said. ``I've been happy here. But I'll do my best in Knoxville.''
Brown said he had heard rumors for weeks that he might be traded.
``I was afraid it was coming and tried to ignore it,'' he said.
INJURY UPDATE: Jason MacIntyre will be sidelined for at least two games by a kidney injury. The Admirals defenseman took a stick to the kidney in Friday's 4-3 overtime loss to Wheeling and was sidelined for a minimum of seven days after passing blood in his urine that night.
At the earliest, MacIntyre would return to play Saturday at Roanoke, but could be out longer.
Defenseman Chris Phelps missed practice Tuesday with a severe cold and is listed by trainer Rick Burrill as questionable for tonight.
STOP THIEF! As tough as the loss to Wheeling was for Brophy to swallow, a young thief poured salt into his wounds a few minutes following the game.
As Brophy spoke to reporters, a young man walked into the locker room, boldly stepped in front of Brophy, took two of his prized hockey sticks and ran out the door.
Brophy and the reporters were so shocked that they simply stood and watched for several seconds. By the time Brophy ran into the Scope arena, the apparent thief had fled.
Assistant coach Al MacIsaac said the young man identified himself as Chad MacAulay, brother of Admirals' forward Tony MacAulay, in a chance meeting before the game. But said Tony MacAulay: ``My brother? He's in Fredericton (Canada). He's not here.''
GREGOR A BULL: Forward Colin Gregor, waived last week by the Admirals, has been claimed by the Birmingham Bulls, with whom he played two games last week. The Admirals originally sold Gregor to the Bulls, who then backed out of the deal. by CNB