Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 14, 1995 TAG: 9511140071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Just a week after ripping up a $55,000 contract with the International Hockey League's Detroit Vipers, Berthiaume returned to Roanoke, where he says he would like to end a professional hockey career that includes parts of nine seasons in the NHL.
Last season was the first in which Berthiaume, 29, did not play at least one game in the NHL since 1986, but it was a memorable one nonetheless. He played the last two months of last season with Express, going 15-4-2 and winning an East Coast Hockey League-record 13 straight games.
It didn't take Express fans long to become enamored with the flamboyant goalie affectionately known as ``Bandit,'' as his trademark red headbands became a Roanoke Civic Center fashion staple, adorning the brows and scalps of spectators both young and old.
``The bonding I had here with the fans and organization was great,'' Berthiaume said. ``Honestly, my heart was here, even when I was in Detroit. ... My teammates here were great. You can't have good average[s] or success without having a good team in front of you.''
He joined the Vipers during the IHL playoffs and re-signed with the team, but the stay was a short one. He came back to Roanoke last week after it appeared his playing time with the Vipers would be reduced. Even though he had posted two shutouts and had been named the IHL's goalie of the week in early October, Berthiaume was about to become part of a three-man goalie rotation after Detroit received Darrin Madely from the Ottawa Senators.
Berthiaume was relegated to the stands during a game against the Cincinnati Cyclones two weeks ago. On Nov.4, he left Detroit and contacted Roanoke coach Frank Anzalone about joining the Express.
``The Vipers are a No.1 organization, but I didn't like the way they did some things,'' Berthiaume said. ``They have a good coach, a good general manager [in Rick Dudley, who holds both jobs], but there were a lot of players coming in and going out. At this point in my career, I don't care about money anymore. I want to go where I'm comfortable. That's here. I'm going to make less money than I made last year. I don't care about that. People who know me know I'm not playing for the money.''
The signing of Berthiaume gives the Express a potent 1-2 combination in net. Matt DelGuidice, who has been Roanoke's No.1 netminder, is 7-1 with a 3.36 goals against average.
The Express made room for Berthiaume by trading goalie Mike Parson to the Johnstown Chiefs for a player to be named later. Parson was 1-5 with a 5.33 GAA. Berthiaume practiced with the Express on Monday and will travel with the team to tonight's game at Raleigh.
``Obviously, we have a couple of proven goaltenders,'' Anzalone said. ``We're glad to have Danny back. To be honest, I was surprised when he showed up. He says he wants to be here. He's obviously played well here, so we're glad to have him. But what I'm really glad about is that I was able to find Mike Parson a job. I worked on that for eight days, so I'm glad it worked out for him.''
Berthiaume spent last week in Roanoke but was instructed by Express management to try to stay out of sight until his contract was finalized.
``I'm sick of being a ghost in this town,'' Berthiaume said. ``Now, I'm coming out!''
Actually, Berthiaume slipped into the civic center Saturday night to catch a few minutes of the Express' 4-2 win over the Erie Panthers in front of 7,300 spectators.
``Seeing the building almost full gave me butterflies,'' Berthiaume said. ``I played in front of 16,000 fans in Detroit, and I didn't feel that way.''
by CNB