THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 18, 1995 TAG: 9503180354
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Hampton Roads Admirals president Blake Cullen spent much of Friday closeted with his attorney, Wayne Souza, and Liz Goddard, a certified public accountant, going over details of the team's potential move to the American Hockey League.
But Cullen said he is no closer to making a decision. He had expected to hear from AHL commissioner Dave Andrews, but Andrews called while Cullen was away - he was required to spend most of an hour viewing balloting by players over whether to form a union.
``A lot depends on what is said when we do speak,'' Cullen said.
Cullen spoke with him Thursday, asking how much it would cost the Admirals to go to the AHL. Andrews told Cullen he would have to consult his executive council before giving an answer.
Richmond owner Harry Feurestein, who attended Friday's game against the Admirals, sounds unenthusiastic about moving to the AHL.
``Our hand won't be forced'' if Hampton Roads goes to the AHL, he said. ``Richmond will base its decision on what Richmond thinks is the right thing to do. ... I'm not sure the fan base in Richmond wants the AHL.
``We're still struggling with the fact that we won't have control over our players. We won't be able to develop a team like we were able to do this year.
``There's an awful lot of politicking going on. Right now, we're very happy in the East Coast Hockey League.''
UNION VOTE: Both the Admirals and Renegades participated before in balloting on the question of a players union.
Ballot boxes were also set up in eight other ECHL cities as the players decide whether or not to be represented by the Professional Hockey Players Association, which also represents players in the IHL and AHL.
PHPA executive director Larry Landon said there's no question what the result will be when they are announced next Wednesday.
``It will pass overwhelmingly,'' said Landon, who came to Norfolk to view balloting at Scope.
Landon named the salary cap, medical insurance for players and housing allowances as three of the top issues the PHPA will push when neogotiations begin on a contract for next season. He was conciliatory to the owners Friday. ``We know we have to work with them, not against them,'' he said. by CNB