THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 4, 1995 TAG: 9510040476
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Head coach John Brophy finally arrived at the Hampton Roads Admirals training camp Tuesday, but two players he expected to join him apparently aren't coming.
Brian Stacey, who was cut by the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League on Monday and assinged to Hampton Roads, has opted to play another year of junior hockey. Stacey is a standout defenseman who was under contract to the Washington Capitals last season.
Also lost was Steve Potvin, a forward for Niagara Falls of the Ontario Hockey League last season who was cut Monday by Baltimore of the AHL. Potvin verbally agreed to come to Norfolk if cut, but reneged on that agreement.
``I talked to his father and to his agent and they both promised he was coming here,'' Brophy said. ``I'm mad about that one.''
The Admirals have been recruiting Potvin since last February. Potvin agreed to play in Hampton Roads late last season once his junior season was complete, but ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly declared him ineligible.
The Admirals have been in touch with Potvin regularly since. But Potvin apparently is headed for Raleigh, which plays at Scope on Oct. 18 in the Admirals' home opener.
Brophy spent nearly two weeks in Portland at the Pirates' training camp trying to recruit players and brought home five.
Goalie Corwin Saurdiff and defenseman Chris Phelps, both standouts for the Admirals last year, reported Tuesday from Portland. Forward Dominic Maltais, defenseman Bob Woods and center David St. Pierre all signed contracts and are expected today or Thursday.
Brophy says more players are on the way. The Capitals cut three players and assigned them to Portland Tuesday. Portland likely will respond with more cuts over the weekend. Cleveland, the Admirals' International Hockey League affiliate, also is expected to send players by the weekend.
``If we get the players we think we're going to get, we're going to have a good team,'' Brophy said. ``Don't judge our team from what we have now.''
Because so many players have been late to report, the Admirals had just 20 players at practice Tuesday, which is just enough to fill one ECHL roster.
Yet the Admirals are scheduled to play an intrasquad game at 7:30 tonight at Scope. Rod Taylor, the team's top returning player, reported late Tuesday afternoon and Aaron Downey, a rookie sidelined with food poisoning Tuesday, also will be available. Even so, there won't be enough players for two teams.
``We may have to play three-against-three,'' he said. ``We may have to let the clock run. But we'll give the people a show.''
NOTES: Tonight's game is open to the public and admission is free. The Admirals' exhibition opener is Friday against Roanoke at Scope. . . . With three good goaltenders in camp, the Admirals sold Todd Hunter to Raleigh. Hunter, a part-time starter last season, was purchased from Raleigh last season when the Admirals were short on goalies. . . . Defenseman Tony MacAulay was given his release to play in Sweden, where he has signed with a pro team. by CNB