THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510120480
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals cut Kelly Sorensen and rookie Ross Letal and suspended Dennis McEwen on Wednesday, the deadline for regular-season rosters to be submitted to the ECHL.
McEwen and Sorensen were victims of the league's three-man veterans rule. Teams are limited to three veterans - players with three years or more of pro experience - and the Admirals already have three in Rod Taylor, Bob Woods and Trevor Halverson.
McEwen has yet to officially report for practice, and has said he wants to be guaranteed playing time before he'll report. The Admirals were forced to suspend him - a technical roster move not related to a suspension for disciplinary reasons - to retain his rights. They hope he will return if a veterans spot opens.
McEwen and Sorensen are Hampton Roads residents. McEwen has played parts of six seasons with Hampton Roads and is known as the Original Admiral because he is the only player remaining from the team's first workout in 1989.
Sorensen played 175 games in the last three seasons, scoring 94 points. He is a local golf pro.
``This is a major disappointment for this club,'' assistant coach Al MacIsaac said of losing Sorensen and possibly McEwen. ``We've got two guys sitting in Hampton Roads who should be playing on our club. Unfortunately, due to league rules, they can't.''
Sorensen was en route from Winston-Salem, N.C., where the team is training, to his Virginia Beach home and unavailable for comment.
``He is devastated,'' MacIsaac said. ``He's not interested in playing anywhere else and he's not that far out of our picture. If one of our veterans is recalled or injured, hopefully he or Dennis can jump back into the lineup.''
The cut left the Admirals with 19 players, including four goaltenders - Corwin Saurdiff, Mark Bernard, Shamus Gregga and Darryl Paquette.
``At some point, we'll have to make a decision'' on trading a goaltender or two, MacIsaac said. ``We can't keep four goaltenders.''
The Admirals have also suspended center Mike Nemirovsky, who failed to report for practice. He has has been offered a tryout with Cornwall of the AHL and will report to the Admirals if cut.
The Admirals open the regular season Saturday in Charlotte. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kelly Sorensen has played 175 games and scored 94 points the last
three seasons with the Admirals.
by CNB