THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 1997 TAG: 9701080624
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 38 lines
Hampton Roads Admirals defenseman Chris Phelps has been named to the ECHL's midseason All-Star Team, which will play the defending Jack Riley Cup champion Charlotte Checkers in the Bud Ice ECHL All-Star Game Jan. 21 at Charlotte's Independence Arena.
Phelps played in the 1995 All-Star Game, replacing injured teammate Ron Pascucci, who had originally been named to the squad. Last year, Phelps was named to the All-Star Team, but missed the game with a broken jaw.
``I think first off that I've been blessed with quality players around me and that always makes you better,'' Phelps said.
Phelps has collected four goals and 20 assists in 30 games, but his most sterling statistic is a plus-23 in plus/minus. That ranks tied for second in the league with Tallahassee's Rob Dumas. South Carolina's Chris Hines leads at plus-28.
``Plus/minus is right place at right time, so to speak,'' Phelps said. ``I really wanted a good plus/minus coming into the season. I think the secret to it is to concentrate on staying out of the minus category. The pluses will come, particularly with the caliber of forwards on this team.''
For this year's new format, in which the All-Star Team plays the league's defending champion, coaches selected the squad, which includes one player from each of the league's 22 other teams.
St. Louis Blues associate coach Roger Neilson has agreed to serve as the All-Star Team's coach and South Carolina coach Rick Vaive will be his assistant. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Chris Phelps