THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210521
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
All-ECHL center John Porco isn't returning to the Hampton Roads Admirals. Neither is high-scoring defenseman Rob MacInnis, who, like Porco, has decided to play pro hockey in Europe this season.
All of which helps explain why coach John Brophy was so eager to leave last week to attend the training camps of three of the clubs with which the Admirals have working agreements.
``Our defense is going to be very good and we've got great goaltenders,'' Brophy said. ``But we need to find a centerman. We have some holes to fill.''
Indeed they do. Porco, who was the league's best center last season, will play in Italy. Jim Brown and Brendan Curley, who also played center last season, have been traded. And MacInnis, who played center when needed last year, is in Holland, trying to latch on with a Dutch team.
Brophy left last week for Washington, where he watched the Capitals work out. He began this week in Cleveland, then went to Portland, Maine.
Assistant coach Al MacIsaac went to Washington last week and is splitting time between Washington and Portland.
Both coaches return late next week to begin preparing for the Admirals' training camp, which opens Oct. 1 at Scope.
Fourteen players from last season have been invited to return, though not all will make the cut.
The biggest logjam is for the three veterans slots. High-scoring forward Rod Taylor and left wing Trevor Halverson, who is in Portland's training camp but is expected to play for the Admirals, will fill two slots, Brophy said. Dennis McEwen or Kelly Sorensen could fill the third.
``But I don't know what veterans we might get from Cleveland or Portland,'' Brophy said.
McEwen, known as ``The Original Admiral'' for being the only player remaining from the team's first practice, missed most of last season because he was the team's fourth veteran. Brophy said McEwen has asked for a guaranteed spot on the roster.
``I can't guarantee him that,'' Brophy said. ``Dennis is a winner, a guy who shows up every game. We'd love to have him, but the rules leave us in a tough spot.''
McEwen declined comment.
A change in league rules will allow Brophy to carry three goaltenders instead of two. The league has expanded rosters from 17 to 20 and abolished the injured-reserve list. Each team can carry 20 players and dress 17.
Brophy says he could have four good goaltenders in camp. Corwin Saurdiff, who started most of last season, is in Washington. He has played well and might land a spot with Portland, MacIsaac said.
Mark Bernard, a former Admiral who was signed away from San Antonio of the Central Hockey League, could split time with Saurdiff or start if Saurdiff doesn't return. Shamus Gregga and Todd Hunter, both of whom played well last season, also return. Hunter (Peoria), Gregga (Cleveland) and Bernard (Fort Wayne) are in International Hockey League training camps this week. Of the three, only Bernard figures to have a chance to stick.
Brophy has recruited two junior players from Niagara Falls of the Ontario Hockey League - forward Steve Potvin and center Jeff Johnstone - but both could wind up in higher leagues.
Johnstone, who had 71 points in 66 games last season, is in Portland, though he is expected to play in Hampton Roads. Brophy said Potvin likely will make it in a higher league. Potvin, who had 89 points in 60 games, will come to Hampton Roads if cut, Brophy said.
The defense might feature two returning All-ECHL players - Ron Pascucci and Chris Phelps. Pascucci has a good chance of sticking with Portland. Phelps also is in Portland but likely will return to Hampton Roads.
Jason MacIntyre, a small but physical defenseman, is expected to return. He is in camp with Cleveland.
Brophy said he has several tough rookie defenseman coming to camp, including Martin Woods, who was expected to star with the Admirals last season but was forced to return to junior hockey in Quebec. Woods was declared ineligible because he had junior eligibility remaining.
``He will be a physical force,'' Brophy said of Woods.
One defenseman who won't be in camp is Perry Florio, obtained in a trade with Louisville. Florio probably will retire.
Tony MacAulay and Tom Menicci, who split time between forward and defense, both will return.
Right wing Rick Kowalsky, with 53 points the team's fourth-leading scorer last season, is in Portland, but is expected to play at least some of the season at Scope. Center Mike Nemirovsky, who is in camp in Cleveland, and right wing Ron Majic also will be back. by CNB