Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409290051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``I can't see it really affecting our league at all,'' said Kelly, Wednesday night's guest speaker at the Roanoke Valley Sports Club's meeting. ``The only thing that could happen is a slight trickle-down effect of players to our league. If some NHL guys go play in the American or International leagues, there could be some AHL and IHL players sent down to our league.''
Kelly said some ECHL club owners are concerned their teams might be assigned some AHL or IHL players, forcing them to cut players who would have made their rosters.
``Then, when the lockout is settled, our teams are going to lose those AHL and IHL players, and suddenly, they are going to have find players again,'' Kelly said. ``That could be difficult, since a lot of guys cut from our league will go to the Central or Colonial leagues. And we have an agreement with those two leagues we won't take their players.''
Kelly, who has spent 36 years in professional hockey, said the NHL's labor strife couldn't have come at a worse time.
``To me, hockey is at it's highest peak ever ... on an all-time high,'' Kelly said. ``It's a shame this has to happen now. But I think you could see it coming. All the high-dollar contracts - 100 [NHL] players are making more than $1 million this season - have gotten out of line. Some guys are making $3 million and some are making $150,000. Now how do you justify that?
''I blame all three parties - the owners, players and agents. Unfortunately, the one who ends up paying for all this is the fan. I was talking to a Chicago [Blackhawks] fan the other day and he told me he is paying $65 for the same seat he paid $15 for five years ago. That's unbelievable.''
Kelly also said an NHL lockout could trigger a rise in attendance in the minor leagues.
``If people want to see hockey, there might not be much choice,'' Kelly said. ``In the ECHL, we already have a great opportunity by not having to go head-to-head against baseball's World Series in our first week for the first time ever. And if the NBA goes out [with a lockout], like some are saying, we might be the only [professional] sport going pretty soon.''
EXPRESS UPDATE: The Roanoke Express' latest training camp roster lists 21 players, including 1993-94 regulars Michael Smith (defenseman) and Jeff Jestadt (left wing), who were cut from IHL affiliate Minnesota's camp two weeks ago.
Besides Smith and Jestadt, the list includes three players who toiled in the ECHL last season - defenseman Jon Larsen (Knoxville) and forwards Jason Clarke (Charlotte, Erie) and Glen Lang (Raleigh, Johnstown).
Clarke is no stranger to Roanoke fans. The 6-foot, 205-pound forward was involved in a couple of well-chronicled scuffles with Express enforcer Dave ``Moose'' Morissette last season.
Heading coach Frank Anzalone's recruiting class are right wing Robin Bouchard, who had 52 goals, 54 assists and 238 penalty minutes last season for Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and left wing Christian Desrochers, who had 61 goals and 58 assists in 45 games last season for Chatenguay in the Junior A Quebec League.
The early camp roster includes eight players weighing 200 pounds or more, topped by 6-2, 230-pound Rock ``Ring His Bell'' Isabel, who accumulated 264 penalty minutes in 40 games last season with Drummondville of the QMJHL.
Anzalone still is searching for an experienced, quality goaltender. The only goalie on the camp roster is Craig Lisko, who posted a 12-17-1 record with a 3.62 goals-against average last season at Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich.
The Express opens preseason camp Oct.9 at the Roanoke Civic Center.
ICE CHIPS: Morissette was in midseason form in his Minnesota IHL debut during the weekend, collecting 21 penalty minutes in the Moose's 4-2 victory in Cincinnati. Morissette's statistical line read: one assist, three minor penalties (two for roughing and one for instigating), one major (fighting) and one game misconduct. ... Dave Allison, who coached the Virginia Lancers in 1989-90, has resurfaced as head coach of the Prince Edward Island Senators of the AHL. ... The ECHL has named New Jersey lawyer Richard Adams as its vice president of business operations. Adams' primary responsibility will be to market and license logos and trademarks of the ECHL and its member teams.
by CNB