DATE: Tuesday, October 14, 1997             TAG: 9710140460

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: HARRY MINIUM

                                            LENGTH:   65 lines

ADMIRALS REPORT [BRIEFS]

Admirals cut 6 but add a famous name in young Kharlamov

YORK COUNTY - The Hampton Roads Admirals reduced their roster by six Monday but gained a big-name player from the AHL's Portland Pirates in Russian forward Alexander Kharlamov.

Kharlamov is the son of Valery Kharlamov, the former Soviet Olympic star touted by some in the 1970s as best ever to play international hockey.

Alexander Kharlamov, a Moscow native and No. 1 draft choice of the Washington Capitals two years ago, had 23 goals and 33 assists in two seasons with the Pirates. He will practice with the Admirals today.

Among those cut was Darryl Sheddon, a forward from Owen Sound, Ontario, who had two assists in 10 games last season for the Admirals. Also cut were Ken Tasker, a forward from Halifax, Nova Scotia; Matt McElwee, who played in Johnstown last season; Reggie Brezeault, who was with Macon of the Central Hockey League last season; Troy Sweet, a forward from Mississauga, Ontario, and Jay McGee, a defenseman from Edmonton, Alberta.

The cuts, combined with six players released over the weekend, reduced the number of players in camp to 20, one above the ECHL limit. However, forwards Joel Poirier and Jeff Ewasko are injured and are likely to begin the season on injured reserve.

Though some roster moves are likely in the next few weeks, the lineup appears virtually set for Friday's opener against Richmond at Scope, and it appears exceptionally strong defensively and in goal.

Portland signee Jason Saal is likely to start in goal Friday, backed up by Corwin Saurdiff.

Returnees Alex Alexeev, Chris Phelps, Mike Larkin and Chad Ackerman join Yuri Yeresko, from Russia's Red Army, and Portland signee Jason Mansoff on defense.

Washington signees Joel Theriault (defense) and Sebastien Charpentier (goalie) have not reported but could end up in Norfolk and force coach John Brophy to make difficult cuts.

The Majic is back

Ron Majic, the 6-foot-4 enforcer who was one of the team's most popular players two years ago, reported Monday and will play Friday.

Majic, who did not play last season, arrived in shape after spending two weeks in camp with Cleveland of the IHL but worn out after driving from his hometown of Sault St. Marie, Ontario.

``I hit some traffic I didn't expect,'' he said.

Dubbed ``The Peacemaker'' by former Admirals owner Blake Cullen, Majic is one of the league's most feared fighters.

Brophy said Richmond and Roanoke players took cheap shots at the Admirals in exhibitions over the weekend.

``That won't happen now,'' he said. ``When people see Ronnie Majic, they calm down.''

Long hours for trainers

Holding training camp at the Ice Palace has created some headaches for the training staff.

Trainer Stu Bender and equipment manager Gary Mansfield travel on the team bus each morning from Scope to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, where players are staying. The bus then heads to training camp in York County. Then, after the bus takes the players back to their hotel, the training staff heads back to Scope to do laundry and fix equipment. There are no laundry facilities at the Ice Palace.

Their days have been so long, they've been sleeping at Scope.

``I haven't been home in four days,'' Mansfield said Monday.

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