ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610280120
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: HOCKEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR.
His team had just been eliminated from the East Coast Hockey League playoffs when Doug Searle heard these words:
``You were the best player on the ice this series.''
They came from the opposing coach, Frank Anzalone of the Roanoke Express.
``I sure do remember that,'' said Searle, who was a defenseman for the Knoxville Cherokees when Roanoke beat them three games to one in the first round of the 1995 playoffs.
``We were shaking hands and he said if I ever needed a place to play ''
It turned out the Express needed him. When forward Ole Kjenstad refused to report to Roanoke after the Express acquired his rights from Birmingham, Anzalone quickly worked out a deal that brought Searle and forward Sean Brown from the Cherokees.
In Searle, the Express got a 6-foot-3, 220-pounder to beef up its defense. Searle's acquisition became more important when second-year defenseman Tim Hanley left the Express after his younger brother Pat was given his walking papers.
Although the Express gave up 17 goals in its first three games, defense should be a strong point for Roanoke as soon as Dave Stewart returns from a three-game suspension.
Searle already has made an impact. His first goal of the season was the winner in a 5-4 victory over Huntington.
``At first, it was a big surprise when I got traded,'' Searle said. ``I'd spent three years [in Knoxville]. I had known Frank, so it was easy to come to Roanoke.''
Occasionally, as happened with Kjenstad, players are less than enthusiastic about reporting to Roanoke when picked up in a trade. Did Searle harbor similar reservations.
``None,'' he said. ``I'd never do that to a team.''
THE LADY IS A GOALIE: The Huntington Blizzard has signed goaltender Susan Williams, who will train with the ECHL team in preparation for a tryout with the 1998 U.S. Olympic women's team.
``I consider myself very privileged,'' said Williams, 26. ``The guys have accepted me. They understand I'm not here to be Manon Rheaume or Erin Whitten or Kelly Dyer [women who have played pro hockey]. I'm here to be Susan Williams, to train for the Olympics and to help the Blizzard in any way I can.''
The Colorado Springs native played two years with the women's hockey team at Maine, where she graduated this past spring with a master's degree in education. She also practiced with the Black Bears men's team, one of the top college programs in the nation.
OFF-ICE OFFICIAL: Andy Van Hellemond didn't want to be remembered only as one of the best NHL referees of all time. That's why he's taken an office job with the ECHL.
Van Hellemond, who officiated more regular-season, playoff games and Stanley Cup final series than anyone in NHL history, turned down the chance to don a striped shirt for a 27th consecutive season to become the ECHL's vice president for hockey operations. He is responsible for officiating, suspensions, player discipline, contract matters and other daily operations of the league.
``I haven't missed not being on the ice,'' Van Hellemond said. ``My time has been too consumed by learning all the details of this job and getting prepared for the season. I've had my day in the sun and enjoyed it. I figure it's time for other guys to take my place.''
ICE CHIPS: The ECHL has teamed up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to help that organization's quest to bring together caring adults and children in need. ECHL teams will hold Big Brothers Big Sisters nights and make recruitment public service announcements. ``Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a tremendous organization and an essential part of many children's lives,'' said Richard Adams, the ECHL's president and CEO. ``Through the ECHL's efforts, we hope to unite many more kids with a big brother or big sister.''
The ECHL averaged a record 6,128 fans during its first week, nearly 1,000 more than the first week of the 1995-96 season. Leading the way were the expansion Mississippi Sea Wolves, who drew a sellout crowd of 9,051 fans to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. The Sea Wolves are owned by John Gagnon, the Express' majority owner.
Scott Burfoot, who had 60 points in 48 games for the Roanoke Valley Rampage in 1992-93, is back in the ECHL as a player-assistant coach for Richmond. Former Nashville Knight Harry York became the 72nd ECHL player to make it to the NHL when he joined the St.Louis Blues this past week.
NHL attendance is surging. An average of 16,191 fans attended the first 103 games this season, an increase of nearly 1,000 fans per game from the same period last season. Teams are playing to 90 percent capacity, led by the Montreal Canadiens' average of 20,607 fans per date at the Molson Centre.
LENGTH: Medium: 88 linesby CNB