THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 18, 1995 TAG: 9507180390
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Popular Hampton Roads Admirals center Brendan Curley was traded to Louisville on Monday in exchange for veteran defenseman Perry Florio.
Curley was the team's second-leading scorer as a rookie in 1993-94 with 79 points (25 goals, 54 assists). Last season his numbers fell significantly, to seven goals and 35 assists.
Curley was informed of the trade Monday morning by Admirals president Blake Cullen. Curley declined comment, but the trade clearly is not one he relishes.
Curley, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., has made Virginia Beach his year-round home. He is part-owner of Mama Autorino's, a Virginia Beach pizza restaurant and is working this summer for WAVY-TV.
However, Curley had indicated in recent weeks that he might play in Europe rather than return to the Admirals.
Florio, a 6-foot, 195-pound six-year veteran who played the last five in Johnstown, apparently has been seeking to come to Norfolk for several years. He told Johnstown officials last spring that he would not return there and was claimed by Louisville in the expansion draft.
Florio, Johnstown's career leading scorer, then told Louisville officials he wanted to play in Hampton Roads.
Florio plays roller hockey for the Philadelphia Bulldogs, who are coached by Admirals assistant Al MacIsaac.
``He told me that Hampton Roads is the only place that he wanted to play,'' MacIsaac said.
``Brendan Curley is a very good player and this was a tough decision, but it was a decision we had to make. We're trying to change the chemistry of our club. It's no secret that we didn't come to play every night last season. Florio is a great defenseman who comes to play every night.''
Florio is the second veteran to agree to play for Hampton Roads. Goaltender Mark Bernard, who also plays for Philadelphia, was lured from San Antonio of the Central Hockey League last week.
The Admirals have three veterans expected to return from last season - Rob MacInnis, Dennis McEwen and Rod Taylor. Trevor Halverson, another veteran, might also return. The league limit is three, but because he is a goaltender, Bernard will not count against that limit. by CNB