THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407030158
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
The Hampton Roads Admirals drew well last winter, and appear headed for a stronger draw in 1994-95, but according to attendance figures recently released by the East Coast Hockey League, are losing ground to a couple of Carolina cousins.
First-year entries South Carolina (9,151 per-game average) and Charlotte (8,130) led the league. The Admirals were third at 7,591 and Greensboro fourth at 6,413.
It was the first time Hampton Roads wasn't ranked first or second and the first time the Admirals have shown a decline in average attendance.
Hampton Roads' average attendance is limited by Scope's seating capacity of 8,990. The Admirals routinely sell out on the weekend, but have fewer seats to sell than the ECHL's other big draws.
South Carolina (11,000-seat North Charleston Coliseum), Charlotte (9,559-seat Independence Arena) and Greensboro (21,000-seat Greensboro Coliseum) all enjoy more spacious accommodations than Hampton Roads.
The good news for the Admirals is that their season-ticket sales are well ahead of last year's pace. More than 3,700 of 4,100 season tickets have been renewed. Season tickets won't go on sale to the general public for a week or two, but the Admirals already have a waiting list for choice seats.
``We're optimistic that we're going to have a very nice increase in season-ticket sales,'' Admirals president Blake Cullen said.
The Admirals led the ECHL in attendance their first season, in 1989-90, with 6,107 per game. They were second to Cincinnati in 90-91 (6,775) and 91-92 (7,861).
After Cincinnati left for the International Hockey League, Hampton Roads again led the ECHL in 92-93 with an average of 7,904.
Cullen said he wasn't displeased with Admirals attendance this past season, even though it showed a slight decrease.
``We had a good year,'' he said. ``I'm happy with the growth of the ECHL. Charlotte and South Carolina drew very well. That's good for the league.''
WANNA FACE OFF? You say you have the right stuff to skate and check in the ECHL? All you need is $400, your own hockey equipment and transportation to Columbus, Ohio and you can strut your stuff in front of all 18 ECHL coaches.
The ECHL is holding a tryout camp for seven days - Aug. 21-27 - in suburban Columbus. The fee includes practice ice time, exhibition games and a hotel room. Only players who are unsigned and haven't been drafted by an ECHL team are eligible.
While $400 might seem like a lot to pay for a tryout, Cullen said the league won't make a dime.
``The fee was set by Columbus (Chill),'' he said. ``The money is going to pay expenses. This is the first time we've done this. We're not sure how successful it will be.''
HOCKEY IN FLORIDA: The ECHL's newest entry in Tallahassee, Florida's state capital, appears to be an early success story.
The team sold 500 season tickets in the first three days tickets were available last week, and that was before a media blitz of radio and television advertisements, which begins this week.
The team moved from Huntsville, Ala., where it was the league's worst draw with 1,580 per game. The Tiger-Sharks, as the Tallahassee entry will be known, expect to surpass that number in season-ticket sales alone.
The team will play in the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, home for Florida State's basketball team. The arena will seat 11,000 for hockey.
SHORT CHECKS: Two former Admirals figured prominently in Portland's drive to the American Hockey League playoff title. Byron Dafoe, who played 10 games for Hampton Roads in 1990-91, was the All-AHL goalie for the Pirates. After DaFoe was called up by the NHL's Washington Capitals, Olaf Kolzig (who played in 90-91 and 91-92 for Hampton Roads) took over at goalie. He led the Pirates to the Calder Club and won the Jack A. Butterfield trophy presented to the most valuable player in the playoffs. ... Chris McSorley, a former Richmond Renegades coach who led Toledo to two Jack Riley Cups the last three seasons, resigned or was fired by the Storm, depending on your point of view. Toledo set a deadline for McSorley to sign a new contract, one he said he could not meet. Both the coach and team then departed ways mutually, they say. McSorley, who is expected to become an assistant coach with Las Vegas of the IHL, was replaced by Greg Puhalski, who played three seasons for the Storm. Puhalski, the Storm's most popular player and team's all-time goal and assist leader, was a player/coach last season. This is his first head coaching job. ... Columbus has named Moe Mantha coach and signed him to a three-year contract. Mantha, 33, played for the 1992 U.S. Olympic team and was an assistant captain for the Americans. by CNB