DATE: Sunday, October 5, 1997               TAG: 9710050168

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C11  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:  310 lines

FAMILIAR FACES ARE PLENTIFUL AS ADMIRALS HIT ICE 36 PLAYERS WILL BATTLE FOR 19 ROSTER SPOTS AS TRAINING CAMP OPENS TODAY IN YORK COUNTY.

When the Hampton Roads Admirals coined their current advertising slogan, ``The Magic is Back,'' they didn't have Ron Majic in mind.

But the 6-foot-4 enforcer and fan favorite is back nonetheless. He'll be in Admirals blue and gold today when the team opens training camp at the Ice Palace in York County. The team practices at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and both are open to the public.

Majic, one of the ECHL's most feared fighters, and goalie Corwin Saurdiff both return after sitting out last season. The team released a 36-man roster Saturday that also includes forward Joel Poirier and defenseman Mike Larkin, returnees from last season who recently agreed to come back.

Head coach John Brophy and general manager Al MacIsaac, who must trim the roster to 19 by the home opener Oct. 16 against Richmond at Scope, have to replace three of their top five scorers and both goaltenders. They say their offseason recruiting and players provided by affiliates will more than make up for the losses.

``Nobody in the league starts with a better base than we do,'' Brophy said.

Added MacIsaac: ``We lost a lot of goals from last year but replaced them with goal scorers. We'll have plenty of scoring.''

The top returnees are forward Victor Gervais, whom the Admirals say was the ECHL's best player last season; forward Rod Taylor, who owns most team scoring records; and defensemen Chris Phelps and Alex Alexeev, who finished in the top three in the ECHL in plus-minus.

Other top returnees include forwards Rick Kowalsky and Darryle Sheddon and defenseman Joel Theriault.

Most of the newcomers are forwards, and among the best are Ron Bonneau (University of Massachusetts), Ryan Mougenal (Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League), Dan Ceman (University of Windsor), Troy Sweet (Humber College), Ken Tasker (St. Mary's) and Billy Lincoln, Larkin's former teammate at the University of Vermont.

The goaltending also looks good - perhaps too good, because there are three solid goalies in camp vying for two positions.

Sebastian Charpentier is a highly regarded Washington Capitals signee from Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Jason Saal, under contract from Portland of the AHL, played for Peoria and St. John's of the AHL last season. Saurdiff starred for the Admirals two seasons ago but was forced to sit out last season with a digestive ailment.

The team again will have an international flavor. Alexeev hails from the Ukraine. Defenseman Yari Eresko, who played for the famed Red Army team last season, is from Moscow. Mario Betrand Poularas, a 6-4 forward, comes from France.

The defense is nearly set and Brophy says it will be among the best he's had in his nine seasons in Norfolk. Phelps, Alexeev, Chad Ackerman, Theriault and Larkin all will make the team. Jay McGee, a junior-league player out of Saskatchewan, is a promising rookie the Admirals found in Cleveland's training camp. Eresko is another strong defenseman.

Brophy says he will keep six defenders.

About a dozen positions on the roster have been claimed by players under contract and by returnees. The remaining 24 players will be vying for about seven roster spots.

Up for grabs is the enforcer position held last season by Aaron Downey, who is playing for the AHL's Providence Bruins. Majic and Jeff Ewasko, a 6-7, 238-pound left wing from North Battlefield, Saskatchewan, are considered the top contenders.

``We lose one heavyweight and bring in two or three to replace him,'' Brophy said with a smile.

The Admirals are still recruiting even though camp begins today. They'll stay in touch with AHL and IHL teams as those teams make cuts. And they'll look for rookies to impress them in training camp, as Ackerman did last season.

``We're two players away from a championship team,'' Brophy said. ``We need to find two.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Majic

Graphic

PRESEASON AT A GLANCE

Directions

To the Ice Palace in York County: Take Interstate-64 West from

Norfolk into Hampton and follow into Newport News. Take the Victory

Boulevard exit. Turn right at the first stop light. The Ice Palace

will be on your left, on Village Avenue, behind the Super K-Mart.

Practice schedule

Today through Wednesday: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 2 p.m.-3 p.m. each

day

Thursday and Friday:9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Exhibition schedule

Thursday:Richmond vs. Admirals at Ice Palace, 7 p.m.

Friday:Chesapeake vs. Admirals at Ice Palce, 7 p.m.

Saturday:Admirals at Richmond, 7:35 p.m.

Sunday:Admirals at Roanoke, 6 p.m.

Training camp roster

Player Pos.Ht.Wt.Hometown or country96-97 team

Chad Ackerman D5-9205Rochester, Mich.

Alex Alexeev D6-1205Kiev, Ukraine

Rob Bonneau C6-0175Springfield, Mass.

Reggie Brezault RW6-0210QuebecMacon, Ga., CHL

Brian Callahan LW6-1195Chestnut Hill, Mass.Boston College

Dan Ceman RW6-0193Windsor, OntarioU. of Windsor

Sebastian Charpentier G 5-9170Drummondville, Que.Shawinigan

(junior)

Ryan Connelly D6-4225Kitchener, OntarioKitchener (junior)

Jeff Corbett F 6-1220Aldergrove, B.C. B. Columbia

(junior)

Yari Eresko D6-2200Moscow, RussiaRed Army

Jeff Ewasko LW6-7230N. Battlefield, Sas.Sherwood Park

(junior)

Mark Giannitti C5-11205DetroitTecumseh (junior)

Victor Gervais C5-9170Prince George, B.C.

Scott Hands RW6-4220Jackson, Mich.

Rick Kowalsky RW6-1195Simcoe, Ontario

Mike Larkin D6-3200South Weymouth, Mass.

Billy Lincoln C6-1195Hanover, Mass.U. of Vermont

Ron Majic RW6-4235Sault St. Marie, Ont.Did not play

Jason Mansoff F6-1200Edmonton, AlbertaU. of Maine

Dan Marcotte RW6-4216Bedford, Mass.

Matt McElwee RW6-1200Perkin, Ill.

Jay McGee D6-0205Edmonton, AlbertaSaskatchewan

(junior)

Ryan Mougenal C6-2195Scarborough, Otn.Kitchener (junior)

Mario Betrand

Poularas C 6-4 226 France France

Chris Phelps D6-0195Lapeer, Mich.

Joel Poirier LW6-1190Richmond Hills, Ont.

Curtis Ricci D5-11190Hornings Mills, Ont.

Jason Saal G5-10175DetroitSt. John's/Peoria

Corwin Saurdiff G5-11180Warroad, Minn.Did not play

Darryle Sheddon LW5-10190Owen Sound, Ont.

Troy Sweet C5-11185Toronto Humber College

Rod Taylor F5-10180Lake Orion, Mich.

Ken Tasker LW6-1210Halifax, N. ScotiaSt. Mary's

University

Joel Theriault D6-3224St. Hubert, Quebec

Richard Vallee F6-4225Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa University

Jarrett Whidden RW5-10180Sudbury, OntarioOhio State U.

Directions

To the Ice Palace in York County: Take Interstate-64 West from

Norfolk into Hampton and follow into Newport News. Take the Victory

Boulevard exit. Turn right at the first stop light. The Ice Palace

will be on your left, on Village Avenue, behind the Super K-Mart.

Practice schedule

Today through Wednesday: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 2 p.m.-3 p.m. each

day

Thursday and Friday:9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Exhibition schedule

Thursday:Richmond vs. Admirals at Ice Palace, 7 p.m.

Friday:Chesapeake vs. Admirals at Ice Palce, 7 p.m.

Saturday:Admirals at Richmond, 7:35 p.m.

Sunday:Admirals at Roanoke, 6 p.m.

Training camp roster

Player Pos.Ht.Wt.Hometown or country96-97 team

Chad Ackerman D5-9205Rochester, Mich.

Alex Alexeev D6-1205Kiev, Ukraine

Rob Bonneau C6-0175Springfield, Mass.

Reggie Brezault RW6-0210QuebecMacon, Ga., CHL

Brian Callahan LW6-1195Chestnut Hill, Mass.Boston College

Dan Ceman RW6-0193Windsor, OntarioU. of Windsor

Sebastian Charpentier G 5-9170Drummondville, Que.Shawinigan

(junior)

Ryan Connelly D6-4225Kitchener, OntarioKitchener (junior)

Jeff Corbett F 6-1220Aldergrove, B.C. B. Columbia

(junior)

Yari Eresko D6-2200Moscow, RussiaRed Army

Jeff Ewasko LW6-7230N. Battlefield, Sas.Sherwood Park

(junior)

Mark Giannitti C5-11205DetroitTecumseh (junior)

Victor Gervais C5-9170Prince George, B.C.

Scott Hands RW6-4220Jackson, Mich.

Rick Kowalsky RW6-1195Simcoe, Ontario

Mike Larkin D6-3200South Weymouth, Mass.

Billy Lincoln C6-1195Hanover, Mass.U. of Vermont

Ron Majic RW6-4235Sault St. Marie, Ont.Did not play

Jason Mansoff F6-1200Edmonton, AlbertaU. of Maine

Dan Marcotte RW6-4216Bedford, Mass.

Matt McElwee RW6-1200Perkin, Ill.

Jay McGee D6-0205Edmonton, AlbertaSaskatchewan

(junior)

Ryan Mougenal C6-2195Scarborough, Otn.Kitchener (junior)

Mario Betrand Poularas

Chris Phelps D6-0195Lapeer, Mich.

Joel Poirier LW6-1190Richmond Hills, Ont.

Curtis Ricci D5-11190Hornings Mills, Ont.

Jason Saal G5-10175DetroitSt. John's/Peoria

Corwin Saurdiff G5-11180Warroad, Minn.Did not play

Darryle Sheddon LW5-10190Owen Sound, Ont.

Troy Sweet C5-11185Toronto Humber College

Rod Taylor F5-10180Lake Orion, Mich.

Ken Tasker LW6-1210Halifax, N. ScotiaSt. Mary's

University

Joel Theriault D6-3224St. Hubert, Quebec

Richard Vallee F6-4225Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa University

Jarrett Whidden RW5-10180Sudbury, OntarioOhio State U.

Directions

To the Ice Palace in York County: Take Interstate-64 West from

Norfolk into Hampton and follow into Newport News. Take the Victory

Boulevard exit. Turn right at the first stop light. The Ice Palace

will be on your left, on Village Avenue, behind the Super K-Mart.

Practice schedule

Today through Wednesday: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 2 p.m.-3 p.m. each

day

Thursday and Friday:9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Exhibition schedule

Thursday:Richmond vs. Admirals at Ice Palace, 7 p.m.

Friday:Chesapeake vs. Admirals at Ice Palce, 7 p.m.

Saturday:Admirals at Richmond, 7:35 p.m.

Sunday:Admirals at Roanoke, 6 p.m.

Training camp roster

Player Pos.Ht.Wt.Hometown or country96-97 team

Chad Ackerman D5-9205Rochester, Mich.

Alex Alexeev D6-1205Kiev, Ukraine

Rob Bonneau C6-0175Springfield, Mass.

Reggie Brezault RW6-0210QuebecMacon, Ga., CHL

Brian Callahan LW6-1195Chestnut Hill, Mass.Boston College

Dan Ceman RW6-0193Windsor, OntarioU. of Windsor

Sebastian Charpentier G 5-9170Drummondville, Que.Shawinigan

(junior)

Ryan Connelly D6-4225Kitchener, OntarioKitchener (junior)

Jeff Corbett F 6-1220Aldergrove, B.C. B. Columbia

(junior)

Yari Eresko D6-2200Moscow, RussiaRed Army

Jeff Ewasko LW6-7230N. Battlefield, Sas.Sherwood Park

(junior)

Mark Giannitti C5-11205DetroitTecumseh (junior)

Victor Gervais C5-9170Prince George, B.C.

Scott Hands RW6-4220Jackson, Mich.

Rick Kowalsky RW6-1195Simcoe, Ontario

Mike Larkin D6-3200South Weymouth, Mass.

Billy Lincoln C6-1195Hanover, Mass.U. of Vermont

Ron Majic RW6-4235Sault St. Marie, Ont.Did not play

Jason Mansoff F6-1200Edmonton, AlbertaU. of Maine

Dan Marcotte RW6-4216Bedford, Mass.

Matt McElwee RW6-1200Perkin, Ill.

Jay McGee D6-0205Edmonton, AlbertaSaskatchewan

(junior)

Ryan Mougenal C6-2195Scarborough, Otn.Kitchener (junior)

Mario Betrand Poularas

Chris Phelps D6-0195Lapeer, Mich.

Joel Poirier LW6-1190Richmond Hills, Ont.

Curtis Ricci D5-11190Hornings Mills, Ont.

Jason Saal G5-10175DetroitSt. John's/Peoria

Corwin Saurdiff G5-11180Warroad, Minn.Did not play

Darryle Sheddon LW5-10190Owen Sound, Ont.

Troy Sweet C5-11185Toronto Humber College

Rod Taylor F5-10180Lake Orion, Mich.

Ken Tasker LW6-1210Halifax, N. ScotiaSt. Mary's

University

Joel Theriault D6-3224St. Hubert, Quebec

Richard Vallee F6-4225Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa University

Jarrett Whidden RW5-10180Sudbury, OntarioOhio State U.

Directions

To the Ice Palace in York County: Take Interstate-64 West from

Norfolk into Hampton and follow into Newport News. Take the Victory

Boulevard exit. Turn right at the first stop light. The Ice Palace

will be on your left, on Village Avenue, behind the Super K-Mart.

Practice schedule

Today through Wednesday: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 2 p.m.-3 p.m. each

day

Thursday and Friday:9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Exhibition schedule

Thursday:Richmond vs. Admirals at Ice Palace, 7 p.m.

Friday:Chesapeake vs. Admirals at Ice Palce, 7 p.m.

Saturday:Admirals at Richmond, 7:35 p.m.

Sunday:Admirals at Roanoke, 6 p.m.

Training camp roster

Player Pos.Ht.Wt.Hometown or country96-97 team

Chad Ackerman D5-9205Rochester, Mich.

Alex Alexeev D6-1205Kiev, Ukraine

Rob Bonneau C6-0175Springfield, Mass.

Reggie Brezault RW6-0210QuebecMacon, Ga., CHL

Brian Callahan LW6-1195Chestnut Hill, Mass.Boston College

Dan Ceman RW6-0193Windsor, OntarioU. of Windsor

Sebastian Charpentier G 5-9170Drummondville, Que.Shawinigan

(junior)

Ryan Connelly D6-4225Kitchener, OntarioKitchener (junior)

Jeff Corbett F 6-1220Aldergrove, B.C. B. Columbia

(junior)

Yari Eresko D6-2200Moscow, RussiaRed Army

Jeff Ewasko LW6-7230N. Battlefield, Sas.Sherwood Park

(junior)

Mark Giannitti C5-11205DetroitTecumseh (junior)

Victor Gervais C5-9170Prince George, B.C.

Scott Hands RW6-4220Jackson, Mich.

Rick Kowalsky RW6-1195Simcoe, Ontario

Mike Larkin D6-3200South Weymouth, Mass.

Billy Lincoln C6-1195Hanover, Mass.U. of Vermont

Ron Majic RW6-4235Sault St. Marie, Ont.Did not play

Jason Mansoff F6-1200Edmonton, AlbertaU. of Maine

Dan Marcotte RW6-4216Bedford, Mass.

Matt McElwee RW6-1200Perkin, Ill.

Jay McGee D6-0205Edmonton, AlbertaSaskatchewan

(junior)

Ryan Mougenal C6-2195Scarborough, Otn.Kitchener (junior)

Mario Betrand Poularas

Chris Phelps D6-0195Lapeer, Mich.

Joel Poirier LW6-1190Richmond Hills, Ont.

Curtis Ricci D5-11190Hornings Mills, Ont.

Jason Saal G5-10175DetroitSt. John's/Peoria

Corwin Saurdiff G5-11180Warroad, Minn.Did not play

Darryle Sheddon LW5-10190Owen Sound, Ont.

Troy Sweet C5-11185Toronto Humber College

Rod Taylor F5-10180Lake Orion, Mich.

Ken Tasker LW6-1210Halifax, N. ScotiaSt. Mary's

University

Joel Theriault D6-3224St. Hubert, Quebec

Richard Vallee F6-4225Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa University

Jarrett Whidden RW5-10180Sudbury, OntarioOhio State U.

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