DATE: Thursday, October 23, 1997            TAG: 9710230719

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: HARRY MINIUM

LENGTH: 77 lines

ADMIRALS REPORT

Players concerned

that if AHL comes,

they'll have to go

NORFOLK - Hampton Roads Admirals players say they haven't been distracted by speculation that the team may move to the American Hockey League. But some are concerned about how a change of leagues could affect their careers.

``It would be good for the city, I guess, to be at the level closest to the NHL,'' veteran center Victor Gervais said. ``But if they do it, a lot of guys in this locker room won't be here next season.''

That's not necessarily a concern for the team's rookies, who have not developed ties to Hampton Roads. But it injects some uncertainty into the futures of longtime players such as Gervais, defenseman Chris Phelps and forwards Rick Kowalsky and Rod Taylor.

If the Admirals moved up, it's likely some current players would be signed as free agents. But most would go on to other teams.

``The city wants to try and move up. I guess that means it's going to happen,'' Phelps said. ``Obviously, I have mixed emotions about it.''

Phelps says the AHL will work in Norfolk, as long as ticket prices don't rise very much.

``I don't see why people wouldn't want to watch better hockey,'' he said. ``But price is a big consideration. This is a military town. If they have to raise ticket prices very much, I'm not sure people here would pay for it.''

Admirals coach John Brophy has a solution if there's any dip in ticket sales.

``If the city wants the team in the American Hockey League, then let the city guarantee the owners here 4,000 season tickets,'' said Brophy, who declined further comment.

More comings, goings

Jeff Ewasko, the 6-foot-7 forward who compiled 455 penalty minutes in junior hockey last season, has come off injured reserve and will play Friday when the Admirals host Johnstown at Scope.

Defenseman Yuri Yeresko (sore back) has been placed on injured reserve, which made room for Ewasko. But the roster soon will be overloaded.

Defenseman Joel Theriault, a Washington Capitals signee who played with the Admirals last season and recently was released by Portland, likely will be activated next week. Forward Joel Poirier, also on injured reserve after knee surgery over the summer, will be ready soon, Brophy said.

All of which means Brophy and general manager Al MacIsaac could have to cut as many as three players in the next few weeks.

``It will be tough'' to cut players, Brophy said. ``But that's the way it is when you have a good team.''

The man advantage

The Admirals spent much practice time this week trying to put the power back in their power play after going 1 for 14 in the first two games, including an 0-for-11 performance in a 4-1 loss to Charlotte on Saturday.

Brophy says there's nothing wrong with the power play that a few lucky bounces won't cure.

``We had good shots,'' he said. ``But we ran into a hot goaltender in Charlotte. We've worked on it, but it's not as if we were fiddling around on the power play. Most of our guys have played power plays all of their lives.''

Brophy has pressed his rookies not to spend much time passing the puck.

``In the pros, you can't fool around too much,'' he said. ``You've got to work it to the center down low or get it to the center up high and let her fly.''

Slap shots

Brophy will take questions from fans on the Admirals' radio call-in show at 7 tonight on WTAR, 850-AM. . . . The New Orleans Brass, an expansion team, drew a near-capacity crowd of 5,836 for its home opener. . . . Wheeling, which was not expected to be very strong, is off to a surprising 3-1 start, including a 2-1 shootout victory Tuesday at Charlotte.

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