THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604140181
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Hampton Roads Admirals forward Rod Taylor, the team's most prolific career goals scorer, says he isn't sure he'll return for a sixth season.
Taylor broke the career goals record this season held by Brian Martin by scoring 43 goals to move to 183. Fans voted him the the team's most valuable player, and coach John Brophy said he wants Taylor to return.
But a prospective sale of the team from Blake Cullen to one of two local groups has Taylor unsettled.
``I'd like to come back, but it's hard to say what I'm going to do next year, whether I'll come back or quit,'' he said. ``A lot depends on what happens with the team. (If the team is sold), the new owners might not want me.''
Taylor gave a blunt postmortem assessment of the team's three-game sweep by Richmond in the first round of the playoffs. He said players under contract to teams from higher leagues simply didn't have the interest of the organization at heart.
``Injuries hurt us, but we were kind of going in a slump before that,'' he said. ``People weren't sticking to the game plan. Some people tried to be individuals instead of working toward winning. I think that's what killed us.
``It's tough when they send contracted players down. I know they wanted to be called up. But it matters to a lot of people whether this team wins.
``I think they were thinking of themselves rather than other guys on the team and the people in the organization.''
Asked what he'd do if he doesn't play hockey next season, Taylor said: ``Maybe I'll work in the Ford Plant next to Brian Martin.''
ALUMNI: Former Admirals Andrew Brunette and Steve Poapst were called up by the Washington Capitals from the AHL's Portland Pirates a week ago, and quickly made an impression. Both scored a goal for the Caps in a 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers Wednesday. The victory clinched a playoff spot for the Caps. ... Since being called up in December by Las Vegas of the IHL, Trevor Halverson has apparently earned a place in what is generally considered the nation's top minor league. He had six goals and nine assists in 22 games for Las Vegas. He's since been traded to Indianapolis, where he centers the third line and has a goal and an assist in 10 games. ... Defenseman Chris Phelps has played regular shifts in four games with Baltimore of the AHL since being called up two weeks ago. ... Goalie Patrick LaLime is 19-12-7 with a 3.86 goals-against average for Cleveland of the IHL. ... Forward Sean Selmser has two goals in three games for Portland AHL since being called up. Defenseman Bob Woods has an assist in three games for Portland. Ron Pascucci, called up earlier this season, has just six points in 39 games, but the former ECHL All-Star is touted as one of the Pirates' top two defensemen.
TORONTO TRAINING CAMP? Assuming he doesn't sell the team, Cullen said he's giving serious thought to moving training camp to Toronto.
Scope is unavailable for most of training camp because of a church meeting in Norfolk, and the team had to split time between three cities last season.
By holding camp in Toronto, the team would save money on transporting players from Canada to Norfolk, and could more easily recruit free agents in talent-rich Ontario, Cullen said.
``I think it would be a recruiting tool,'' Cullen said. ``Having John Brophy back in Toronto (where he coached the NHL Maple Leafs for two seasons) would generate some interest.''
ROLLER HOCKEY: Assistant coach Al MacIsaac will spend the summer coaching the Philadelphia Bulldogs of Roller Hockey International and will take with him goalie Mark Bernard, Woods and Selsmer.
Former Admirals Rob MacInnis, Jim Brown and Donnie Martin will also play. Steve Richards has been asked to try out.
The Bulldogs are expected to make an exhibition appearance June 6 at Scope against the New Jersey Rockin Rollers. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Admirals' alltime scorer Rod Taylor feels unsettled and is not ready
to commit for sixth season
by CNB