ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 12, 1996 TAG: 9611120080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
ILYA DUBKOV, THE ALL-TIME leading scorer in Roanoke history, is expected to rejoin the Express this week.
Ilya Dubkov is once again the center of attention for the Roanoke Express.
The all-time leading scorer in franchise history is expected to join the Express this week, possibly as early as today. The nomadic, high-scoring Russian left the Express during the summer to play for his country's prestigious Red Army team, but soon became disenchanted and decided to return to the United States.
His agent, Eric Kuperman, contacted the Express in October. The team held off re-signing Dubkov while determining whether or not the veteran center would blend in with a younger group of players.
``Ilya will bring a little stability at center,'' said Express general manager Pierre Paiement. ``We waited because we wanted to make sure he would give us a hundred percent at all times.''
Even though Dubkov led the Express with 72 points during the 1995-96 season, his 20 goals were the fewest in his three-year professional career. Express coach Frank Anzalone was particularly disappointed with Dubkov's play on the road, where he had just two goals all season.
Express management felt Dubkov, a finesse player, was intimidated by physical play on the road. Paiement hopes that won't be a problem this time around.
``I don't think he'll get abused on this team,'' said Paiement. ``We have more team aggressiveness this year. There are enough guys on this team to protect him.''
Even a less-than-perfect Dubkov is better than many players in the East Coast Hockey League. He scored 211 points in three seasons with the Express and became one of the team's most popular players.
``Ilya has made a personal commitment to me that he wants to be a large part of our revised team unity, effort and determination,'' Anzalone said in a statement released by the team. ``If all goes as we discussed, he will play a large role in the future success of our hockey team.''
Dubkov had offers from the Colonial League, but ``I want to play for Frank in Roanoke,'' Dubkov said in the statement. ``It is a good place for my wife [Olga] and my daughter [Polina]. The owners and fans have been very kind to us. I am ready to work hard and to help Roanoke win.''
More than ever is expected of the reticent Dubkov, who was one of the first players signed by the Express when the franchise started in 1993. This team is as young as any squad Roanoke has seen since Dubkov's rookie season.
``We want a lot out of him,'' said Paiement. ``It's like, `Look, you've got the potential and ability to be a great player. Show us how well you can play hockey at home and on the road.'''
Paiement wasn't sure when Dubkov would suit up for the Express, which plays the Richmond Renegades at 7 p.m. today at the Roanoke Civic Center. Paiement was expecting to confer with Anzalone, who was not expected back in town until late Monday.
``I'm not sure about tomorrow,'' said Paiement. ``I expect he'll be ready to play this weekend.''
ICE CHIPS: The Express returns from a grueling, 2,876-mile trip that included six games in nine days. The Express went 2-4-0 on the road an watched its overall record slip to 5-8-1. Rookie center Chris Lipsett scored four goals on the trip - the game-winner at Richmond, the tying goal in Birmingham and two goals in a loss at Mobile. Richmond leads the East Division with an 8-2 record in former player-assistant Scott Gruhl's first season as head coachh.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: File. Ilya Dubkov, who spent three seasons with theby CNBExpress and became one of the team's most popular players, will be
asked to provide leadership to a young squad. color.