THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 19, 1996 TAG: 9607190633
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 39 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals apparently have lost their working agreement with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Johnstown (Pa.) Tribune Democrat reports that the Johnstown Chiefs, the Admirals' ECHL rival, are close to signing an agreement with the Penguins. The Chiefs, located an hour's drive from Pittsburgh, were without an NHL working agreement last season.
The Chiefs were sold last season to a business group that owns the television station that broadcasts Penguins games in Pittsburgh. Admirals coach John Brophy says it was the relationship between the Johnstown ownership group and the Penguins that cost the Admirals the working agreement.
``We're sad that we didn't get Pittsburgh back, but money is money,'' Brophy said. ``It runs thicker than blood, money does.
``I don't think it had anything to do with (Penguins general manager) Craig Patrick. It had everything to do with the owners.''
The Admirals' primary working agreement is with the Washington Capitals, who provide players through the American Hockey League's Portland (Maine) Pirates. The teams have been affiliated since the Admirals formed in 1989.
Last season the Admirals had seven players from Portland in their opening-night lineup. The Admirals added a second working agreement last summer with the Penguins, who provided four players through Cleveland of the International Hockey League.
Admirals owner Mark Garcea said he spoke by conference call Tuesday with Pirates officials, including owner Tom Ebright, who pledged to strengthen the working agreement. The Pirates have committed to maintain a minimum of eight players and a maximum of 10 in Norfolk, Garcea said.
``They told us they want to work with us to give the team more stability,'' Garcea said.
The loss of the Pittsburgh affiliation means Serge Aubin, the team's second-leading scorer, likely will play in Johnstown if he doesn't play in Cleveland. Aubin is under contract to Pittsburgh.
Brophy said he is talking with other NHL clubs but declined to name them. by CNB