THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 28, 1995 TAG: 9509280477
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Hampton Roads Admirals president Blake Cullen said he is optimistic that the East Coast Hockey League will become the primary developmental arm of the International Hockey League by the beginning of the 1996-97 season.
Cullen was part of a five-man ECHL delegation that met with IHL commissioner Bob Ufer and several IHL owners and general managers Tuesday in Cleveland. Cullen presented a proposal he previously had pitched to ECHL officials for each IHL team to affiliate with an ECHL team. Each ECHL team would receive a minimum of five players. In return, the ECHL would pay a fee to the IHL.
Cullen said the proposal was received warmly.
``I was impressed with Bob Ufer and with their interest in us as a league,'' he said. ``They're really anxious to get a relationship going with us to develop young players.
``Everything was positive. Nothing was decided, but we had a very good meeting. Something will be worked out, either formally or informally. This is an ideal business situation, where both sides benefit.''
The IHL, which requested the meeting, sought out the ECHL in part because of the IHL's changing role. Five years ago it was primarily a developmental league for the NHL, which provided most of the IHL's players. The IHL has since evolved into something of a competitor to the NHL.
The IHL has placed teams in Detroit, Chicago and San Francisco, all NHL markets, and expanded into Orlando, a market coveted by the NHL. In return, the NHL is moving its working agreements to the American Hockey League. That is forcing IHL teams to rely largely on free agents, many of whom aren't yet ready to play at that level.
``They want a steady stream of young players,'' Cullen said. ``They need a forum to develop those players and think we're the proper forum.''
The ECHL likely would have to modify its salary cap and veterans rule to accommodate a working agreement with the IHL.
ECHL officials, including Cullen, are scheduled to meet with AHL commissioner Dave Andrews next month. Cullen said a working agreement with the IHL should not affect the league's relationship with the AHL.
``They (IHL officials) have no problem with us continuing to work with the AHL,'' Cullen said. ``I think we should work with both leagues.''
Tuesday's meeting was held at the Gunn Center, home of the Cleveland Lumberjacks, who affiliated with the Admirals last month. Cullen took advantage to meet privately with Cleveland general manager Larry Gordon and firm up details of their working agreement.
``We'll probably get some pretty good players from Cleveland,'' Cullen said. ``They're treating this as a partnership. They want us to be their farm club. Larry will be down to see some of our games and they want to see our game films.''
MAC IS BACK: Defenseman Jason MacIntyre will be back for a third season with the Admirals.
MacIntyre was cut Tuesday by Cleveland and immediately signed a contract with the Admirals, Cullen said.
MacIntyre is the sixth player to sign a contract. Forward Rod Taylor and goaltender Mark Bernard signed ECHL contracts with the Admirals. Forward Rick Kowalsky, defenseman Ron Pascucci and goaltender Corwin Saurdiff signed contracts with both Portland of the AHL and Hampton Roads. They remain in the Portland camp, though all three could wind up in Norfolk.
The Admirals training camp opens Sunday at Scope. by CNB