THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 3, 1996 TAG: 9601030536
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals regained one of their top scorers but may have lost their top player Tuesday.
Center David St. Pierre was assigned to the Admirals after a week with Portland of the AHL. He is expected to play tonight when the Admirals host Raleigh at Scope.
Meanwhile, Trevor Halverson, who is having an All-Star season, was called up by Utah if the IHL. Halverson flew to Salt Lake City early Tuesday and was expected to play Tuesday night.
Utah officials said Halverson would return this week, perhaps in time to play tonight. But coach John Brophy said he isn't counting on Halverson just yet.
``I have no idea when he'll be back,'' Brophy said. ``They said he'd be back tomorrow, but we've been lied to (by IHL and AHL clubs). Sometimes they say they're coming back and they don't send them.''
However, St. Pierre will return today, Brophy said.
``Portland's our affiliate,'' he said. ``If they say he's coming, he's coming.''
Halverson leads the Admirals and is seventh in the league with 52 points, including 28 goals, and is plus-19. He has four game-winning goals, including two in shootouts in the last four games, and has been one of the team's top defensive forwards.
``Halverson is having a great, great season,'' Brophy said.
So was St. Pierre, before callups and an injury took him out of the lineup. He has 35 points in just 22 games.
LARKIN A BEAR: One of the surprise players the season has been defenseman Mike Larkin. Signed as an emergency replacement two weeks ago from Lakeland of the Southern Hockey League, Larkin has earned a spot on the team, Brophy said.
``The guy has been a bear on defense,'' Brophy said.
He's also scoring well, with five points in seven games.
Larkin, a native of Rutland, Vt., played the last four seasons for the University of Vermont, then tried out with the Minnesota Moose of the IHL. When cut by the Moose, he decided to bypass the ECHL and play in Lakeland with his brother.
Until the Admirals called.
``I felt like I was ready to give this league a try,'' he said. ``It's a step up from the Southern League. You don't see players like Rod Taylor in that league.
``I think being in Lakeland helped prepare me to play here. I'm grateful coach Brophy and coach MacIsaac have given me so much ice time, for giving me a chance.''
BIG FAN: Gov. George Allen made a low-key visit to Scope last Friday to watch the Admirals drub Knoxville 7-3, and he did so by choice. Allen's visit was unannounced and he sat in the Norfolk Tides' corporate box with his wife and two children.
``We just wanted to get away as a family for a weekend and be alone,'' said Allen, who was invited by Admirals president Blake Cullen. ``We hadn't been to a hockey game this year and decided this would be a good chance.''
Allen is frequently seen at Richmond Renegades games, where he sits near the penalty box.
``One night I penned an official pardon for (Richmond standout) Scott Gruhl and sent it to the box,'' Allen said with a laugh. ``But they wouldn't let him out.''
Allen said he has attended many Tides games at Harbor Park and will be back to see the Admirals.
``I love hockey,'' said Allen, a former Virginia football player. ``Football is great on TV, but I think hockey is the best sport to watch as a spectator.'' ILLUSTRATION: GAMEWATCH
[Chart available on microfilm.]
by CNB