THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 13, 1996 TAG: 9603130656
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Ryan Black, who earned 62 points in 34 college games the last two seasons at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, joined the Hampton Roads Admirals in time for Tuesday's practice.
A versatile player who coach John Brophy says will play all three forward positions, Black should be in the lineup this weekend. The Admirals face South Carolina on Friday and Sunday, with Richmond in between.
``He looks like a good skater with a good shot,'' Brophy said after putting Black through a two-hour workout Tuesday at Scope. ``Right now, I'd say he'll play a regular shift on left wing.''
Black scored 95 points his last season of junior hockey with London (Ontario), then joined St. Thomas. He played just 12 games his first season there, scoring 25 points, then earned 37 points in 22 games this past season.
``I'm here basically because of Brophy,'' Black said. ``I think I can learn a lot from the man. He has a reputation for putting out guys with great desire, guys who know all aspects of the game. Hopefully, he can help me pursue my pro career.''
Tuesday afternoon, the Admirals were checking the background of another player, wing Dany Bousquet. He's a former 10th-round pick of the Washington Capitals who could be added to the roster today.
All-Star defenseman Chris Phelps has been fitted for a mouthpiece and a face mask. He participated in contact drills Tuesday and will play this weekend.
HONORS, AWARDS: The ECHL announced its all-league teams late last week. No Admirals made either first or second team.
The first team:
G - Alain Morisette, Louisville
D - Chris Valicevic, Louisiana
D - Steve Lingren, Dayton
LW - Hugo Belanger, Nashville
C - Jim Brown, Knoxville
RW - Colin Ward, Nashville.
Awards for regular-season performances also have been announced. Belanger was named the ECHL most valuable player, with Morisette the runner-up. The rookie of the year is Wheeling's Keli Corpse, with Toledo's Todd Wetzel the runner-up.
Richmond's Roy Sommer was voted coach of the year, with Toledo's Greg Pulhaski runner-up. Morisette was named goaltender of the year, with Toledo's David Goverde runner-up. And Chris Valicevic of Louisiana was named defenseman of the year. Louisiana's Aaron Boh and Mobile's Dave Craievich were tied for second.
GOALIE SCORES! In case you missed it, Charlotte goalie Nick Vitucci scored a goal in his team's 6-4 victory over Louisville last week.
That makes two netminders with Admirals ties who have pulled off the rarest play in hockey. Hampton Roads' Corwin Saurdiff scored a goal against Charlotte last March 18. The big difference - and one that might make Vitucci's play singularly spectacular - is that both teams were playing at full strength when it happened.
Vitucci cleared the puck from his end of the ice. The Louisville goalie misplayed the puck, which caromed into the net. Because Vitucci was the last ``offensive'' player to touch the puck, he was credited with the goal.
ESCAPE CLAUSE: The Nashville Knights have filed a relocation request with the league. Officials of the Municipal Auditorium, home of the Knights, want to negotiate a lease that would enable them to remove the Knights as occupants should an NHL team relocate in Nashville and begin play in an under-construction, 19,000-seat arena. That building is scheduled to open in December. by CNB