THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507130508
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Mark Bernard, who played on two East Coast Hockey League championship teams for Hampton Roads, will be back in goal for the Admirals next season.
Bernard was the most valuable player for the Admirals in their 1991-92 championship series.
``We told him we can't guarantee any salary figure yet because negotiations with the players' union are just starting,'' Admirals president Blake Cullen said. ``But he said he was sure we'd take care of him and that he would be here.''
Bernard is the first player the Admirals have committed to sign. Contracts for most players aren't signed until shortly before training camp begins on Oct. 1.
Bernard was the starting goalie last season for the San Antonio Iguanas, the Central Hockey League playoff runners-up. He was 16-8 with a 3.72 goals-against average during the regular season.
This summer, he is the starting goalie for the Philadelphia Bulldogs of Roller Hockey International. He ranks fourth in that league in goals-against average (5.70) and save percentage (.865).
Admirals assistant Al MacIsaac, head coach of the Bulldogs, said that in Bernard, the Admirals will have one of the ECHL's top goalies.
``He's had offers from a lot of other ECHL clubs and from some in the Central League, but he wants to play in Hampton Roads,'' MacIsaac said. ``I told him early in the roller hockey season that if he played well, I'd make a pitch for him, and he's played very well.''
Cullen and head coach John Brophy flew to Montreal two weeks ago to watch Bernard play.
``Mark played a spectacular game,'' MacIsaac said.
Bernard played three seasons for the Admirals, his best in 1991-92, when he had a regular-season goals-against average of 3.35 and a 2.62 average in the playoffs, in which he went 12-2. His last season in Norfolk was 1992-93. He played for Erie in 1993-94.
Bernard likely will split time in goal with Shamus Gregga, the Admirals' backup last season.
Because he is a veteran, Bernard is unlikely to be called up by teams in higher leagues.
The Admirals went with youth in goal last season and were down to one goaltender in early February because of call-ups.
``Having Bernie should provide us with stability in goal,'' Cullen said. ILLUSTRATION: Mark
Bernard
by CNB