Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: TUESDAY, August 10, 1993 TAG: 9308100028 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Making good on its early promise of an NHL affiliation, the Express announced Monday it has a working agreement with the San Jose Sharks for the 1993-94 season.
"This is a big day for hockey in Roanoke," said Pierre Paiement, the Express general manager. "I think getting an NHL affiliation really adds credibility to our franchise. We promised people we'd get one. We kept our promise; now we hope the community will keep theirs and support us."
Paiement said he expected the pace of Express season-ticket sales to quicken with the confirmation that San Jose is coming on board. Club officials say they have sold approximately 700 season tickets.
"I think a lot of folks have been waiting to see if we were going to get an NHL affiliate. Now, we've got one," Paiement said.
Tim Burke, the Sharks' pro scouting supervisor, attended the news conference on behalf of San Jose. Burke said the Sharks' familiarity with Express coach Frank Anzalone and a sharp presentation by Paiement to San Jose officials at the NHL draft in late June were the primary reasons for the agreement.
"We knew Frank and we knew what Frank brings," said Burke, who played hockey with Anzalone at the University of New Hampshire. "He makes people play, he keeps people in shape, has a lot of good ideas about the game. And we don't think young players need anything but discipline in hockey.
"We're not into innovative minds with young kids. We know what wins. It hasn't changed that much. Kids want direction and they want to be told the easiest and best way to get there. I think Frank will provide that."
In turn, San Jose may provide Roanoke with as many as a half-dozen players.
"It's premature to say," Burke said, "but after talking with management and Pierre, it's conceivable there could be five or six players here."
Burke said the San Jose franchise, which will be entering its third NHL season in October, is glad to get a fresh ECHL start in Roanoke. The Sharks previously had ECHL affiliations with Nashville (1991-92) and Johnstown ('92-93).
"The other affiliations we had, for better or worse, I don't know if they worked out as good as they could have," Burke said. "But here, I think we're starting something new."
The Sharks haven't exactly been world-beaters in their first two NHL seasons, winning 14 games in '91-92 and 11 in '92-93.
Burke said San Jose's struggles shouldn't be an indication of the caliber of players they will send to Roanoke.
"The players coming to this league from the NHL are the final eight, 10 guys on the NHL clubs' 50-man roster," Burke said. "There's just not much difference in the talent level from players Nos. 40 to 50 on all NHL clubs."
The Express will be the Sharks' second-tier farm club, under their International Hockey League affiliate in Kansas City, Mo.
Burke said San Jose's top priority, of course, is producing a winning team in the NHL.
"You always have to remember when things are not going well with the NHL team, you might not hear from them," Burke said. "If things aren't going well on top, the last thing they're going to think about is what's happening with the 50th guy on the depth chart.
"There's probably going to be times when you wonder: `Where is San Jose?' Well, San Jose has a lot bigger problems up in that Smythe Division. Still, we're only a phone call away."
Anzalone said he will get a gauge on just how much aid he can expect from the Sharks when he attends their preseason camp in September.
"Any NHL team that will send you between four and six players is a great affiliation," Anzalone said. "The average team in this league gets two NHL players.
"Perhaps more importantly, San Jose can direct some free agents here. Those people [Sharks officials] can influence those players to consider Roanoke strongly."
ICE CHIPS: The Express postponed the unveiling of its logo until Friday, when it will be revealed at a news conference in conjunction with First Fridays at Five in downtown Roanoke. . . . John Gagnon, the Express' majority owner, said the club is close to finalizing a deal with WROV-AM (1240) to broadcast all 68 regular-season games. . . . The Express' schedule will be released as soon as two home dates still in question are finalized. . . . Sharks souvenirs, which are among the hottest items in pro sports, will be on sale at the Roanoke Civic Center this season.