DATE: Tuesday, October 28, 1997             TAG: 9710280432

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C9   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: HARRY MINIUM

LENGTH: 54 lines

ADMIRALS REPORT

ECHL's top cop

will determine when

Majic will return

NORFOLK - Hampton Roads forward Ron Majic has been suspended indefinitely by the ECHL for an altercation that took place Saturday in the Admirals' shootout loss at Johnstown.

He missed Sunday's 4-2 loss at Wheeling and his status is undermined for Wednesday's game at Scope against the Chesapeake IceBreakers of Upper Marlboro, Md. A judgment on when he can play again will be made by Andy Van Hellemond, the ECHL's senior vice president for hockey operations.

``Mr. Van Hellemond won't make a ruling until he's reviewed the film, and he probably won't see the film'' until today, said Al MacIsaac, the Admirals' general manager and assistant coach.

After reviewing the film himself, MacIsaac said: ``I don't know what's going to happen, but my best guess is that he's served the only game he'll be suspended.''

Also suspended indefinitely was Johnstown's Kelly Leroux, who hit Admirals forward Rod Taylor from behind and drove him into the boards in a 4-3 Hampton Roads victory Friday at Scope. Taylor was badly bruised but played this weekend.

Injury opens the door

Defenseman Chad Ackerman was placed on the seven-day injured-reserve list after suffering a concussion in Johnstown. He was replaced Sunday in Wheeling by Yuri Yuresko, a highly regarded rookie from Russia.

Yuresko was scratched from the lineup in the Admirals' first four games but will play against Chesapeake.

``Yuri is an excellent player,'' MacIsaac said, noting that he hasn't played because Admirals are loaded with defensemen, including three under contract to Portland and Washington.

AHL talks ongoing

Admirals co-owner Page Johnson says the team's second round of discussions with the Los Angeles Kings about a prospective American Hockey League working agreement went well. Kings general manager Dave Taylor was in Hampton Roads last weekend to meet with Johnson and majority owner Mark Garcea.

Johnson flew to L.A. this summer to meet with Taylor at the Kings' invitation. The Admirals, who may leave the ECHL for the AHL as soon as next season, are also negotiating with Nashville's expansion NHL franchise. Johnson said he hopes to meet soon with Nashville general manager David Poile, the former GM of the Washington Capitals.

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