THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510190490
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 216 lines
Reprinted in full from Wednesday's editions.
JOHN BROPHY
Winningest coach in ECHL history. Brophy, 62, enters his 23rd year of coaching with a 753-704-113 career record, including 255-150-32 in Norfolk with ECHL titles in '91 and '92. Came to Hampton Roads from the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, where he coached three seasons, twice advancing to the playoffs. Named coach of the year in '79 in the WHA. Never made it to the NHL as a player, but did accumulate a minor-league record 4,444 career penalty minutes. Is married to LPGA pro Nancy Brophy-White.
AL MACISAAC
Like Brophy, is a native of Antigonish, Nova Scotia and a former defenseman. MacIsaac, 28, is in his third season as an assistant with Hampton Roads. Was an All-ECHL pick with the Admirals in '92. Led the team that season with a plus-minus of 33. Has championship rings from the ECHL, AHL and Ontario Hockey League. Considered the heir apparent to Brophy, should he retire. Had his first head-coaching experience last summer with Philadelphia of Roller Hockey International.
BLAKE CULLEN
Managed to plant a successful hockey franchise in Hampton Roads, where many before had failed. His Admirals led the ECHL in attendance their first season, '89-90. A year later, the franchise won the first of two consecutive ECHL titles. Cullen, 59, has 21 years experience with major league baseball, including a stint as vice-president and general manager of the Chicago Cubs. Named Major League Baseball Executive of the Year in '73. Norfolk Sports Club Man of the Year in '90.
DAVID ST. PIERRE
Forward
Age: 23
Home: Montreal
Played for the Canadian National Team last season, with 15 goals and 18 assists in 40 games. Was with St. John of the AHL the previous two seasons. Perhaps the team's most skilled skater. An avid golfer and surfer. Assigned to Hampton Roads by Portland.
DARRYL PAQUETTE
Goaltender
Age: 24
Home: Sudbury, Ontario
Played for the University of Cape Breton the last three seasons, where he was named team MVP the last two years. Is married and involved with the Children's Aid Society in Cape Breton. Nicknamed ``Packer,'' he's an avid fisher and hunter. Assigned by Portland.
ROB STRIAR
Defenseman
Age: 23
Home: New Rochelle, N.Y.
Underwent surgery on both shoulders last last season and did not play. Previously was with Louisville of the ECHL and Ft. Worth of the Central League. Was set to play in the Colonial League before the Washington Capitals urged him to sign with the Admirals.
CHRIS PHELPS
Defenseman
Age: 22
Home: Shelby Township, Mich.
All-ECHL last season and was called up at the end of the year by Cornwall of the AHL. Was Admirals' leading scorer among defensemen with 52 points. Among the last cuts by Portland. Is a devout Christian yet an aggressive player with 161 penalty minutes last season.
CLAUDE FILLION
Defenseman
Age: 21
Home: Boie-St. Paul, Quebec
The largest and one of the team's most physical defensemen. Had 16 points and 220 penalty minutes last season with St. Jean of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. With Hull in the same league a year earlier, accumulated 300 penalty minutes. Assigned by Portland.
BOB WOODS
Defenseman
Age: 27
Home: LeRoy, Saskatchewan
A veteran of three seasons in the AHL and two with Johnstown of the ECHL. Played professionally in Austria last season and had 10 goals and 35 assists in 42 games. Signed out of junior hockey by New Jersey in '88. Was an ECHL All-Star in '94. Assigned by Portland.
TOM MENICCI
Defenseman/Forward
Age: 24
Home: Westford, Mass.
A promising returnee who was most effective at forward, but has been forced to defenseman by a shortage there. Had 23 points in 50 games last season. Graduated from St. Anslem College. A fan of the Boston Bruins and Red Sox, and a pool shark and golfer.
MARTIN WOODS
Defenseman
Age: 20
Home: Hull, Quebec
Youngest of the Admirals. A physical defenseman who played the last four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. A former Winnipeg Jets draft choice. Signed with the Admirals last season but was forced to play junior hockey because of ECHL eligibility rules.
JEFF KOSTUCH
Forward
Age: 21
Home: Brockville, Ontario
Played the last four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, where he was named most underrated player the last two seasons. Tried out with the Boston Bruins in '94 and the Indianapolis Ice this year. An avid water skier and Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Nicknamed ``Stooch.''
RICK KOWALSKY
Forward
Age: 23
Home: Simcoe, Ontario
Nicknamed ``Killer,'' was an All-ECHL pick last season. Had 53 points in 49 games. Also played briefly in the AHL. A 10th-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres. His father is the mayor of Simcoe, Ontario, his hometown. Assigned by Portland.
SEAN SELSMER
Forward
Age: 20
Home: Calgary, Alberta
The last cut by the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL. Signed with the Admirals as a free agent, but was in essence assigned by Cleveland, which likely will recall him later this season. Lists ``Atlas Shrugged'' by Ayn Rand as the last book he's read.
ROD TAYLOR
Forward
Age: 27
Home: Lake Orion, Mich.
Called ``The Rocket'' by fans and ``Tails'' by teammates. Is the team's captain, most familiar face and most explosive player. Had 78 points last season and 88 the year before, including 54 goals. Spends his summers fishing in Michigan, working hockey camps.
AARON DOWNEY
Forward
Age: 21
Home: Shelburne, Ontario
Has distinguished himself as one of the ECHL's toughest players in preseason, taking on Richmond's Brian Goudie and Roanoke's Jason Clarke. Had 41 points, 320 penalty minutes in 41 games last season in junior hockey. Among hobbies: hunting groundhogs.
DOMINIC MALTAIS
Forward
Age: 23
Home: Boucherville, Quebec
One of the team's four French-speaking Quebec natives. Played the last two seasons in the Central Hockey League. Is one of the team's top newcomers and coaches say he has star potential. Nicknamed ``Falcon,'' counts golf as his second love. Assigned by Portland.
STEVE RICHARDS
Forward
Age: 24
Home: Pipersville, Pa.
One of the plums of the recruiting season. Played four seasons at Ohio State, yet rejected the Columbus Chill to come to Hampton Roads. Led the Buckeyes in scoring his last three seasons. A lefthanded center who excels on the power play. Nicknamed ``Ice Man.''
TREVOR HALVERSON
Forward
Age: 24
Home: White River, Ontario
The team's player-assistant coach. Though injured much of last season, had 14 goals and 26 assists in 42 games. A 2nd-round NHL draft pick in 1991. Part Ojibway Indian, teammates call him ``Chief.'' Also a hunter and accomplished guitar player.
JASON MACINTYRE
Forward/Defenseman
Age: 23
Home: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Deemed the player with the most heart last season by the Admirals Booster Club. Often played hurt. Short-fused, was second on the team with 227 penalty minutes and had 17 points in his second season the Admirals. Came to Norfolk from Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
MARK BERNARD
Goaltender
Age: 26
Home: Mamilton, Ontario
``Bernie'' played on the Admirals' ECHL title teams in '91 and '92. Was MVP of the '92 playoffs. After a year in Erie, starred last season for San Antonio of the Central Hockey League with a 3.72 goals against. A late cut by Fort Wayne of the IHL.
SHAMUS GREGGA
Goaltender
Age: 21
Home: Markham, Ontario
Nicknamed ``Shamu,'' but could have been called the Comeback Kid last season. After being cut in November, returned late in the season and was 3-2 in 10 games. The lefthander had a surprisingly strong camp in Cleveland, which signed him and assigned him to Admirals.
CORWIN SAURDIFF
Goaltender
Age: 23
Home: Warroad, Minn.
Last season became just the fourth goalie in pro hockey to score a goal. His stick is in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He was 13-6-2 for Hampton Roads with a 3.14 goals against. Former Northern Michigan standout played parts of two seasons with Kansas City of the IHL.
OTHER TEAM INFORMATION
Trainer: Rick Burrill
Equipment manager: Gary Mansfield
Director of public relations: Amy Dyches
Ticket Manager: Susan Gary
Office manager: Anna Shin
Administrative assistants: Angie Williams, Verna Mansfield
Director Off-Ice officials: Marie Boos
Rink: Norfolk Scope (8,990)
Affiliations: Washington/NHL, Pittsburgh/NHL, Portland/AHL, Cleveland/IHL
Phone: 624-1212 ILLUSTRATION: [Appeared on page C1]
Because of technical problems in Wednesday's Sports section, some
information on the Hampton Roads Admirals' 1995-96 season was
incomplete. For complete biographical capsules of Admirals players,
see Page C2; for the complete season schedule, see Page C4.
by CNB