THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 18, 1995 TAG: 9510180536
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Rod Taylor has heard the whispers among fans who say the Hampton Roads Admirals have seen their best days.
They used to win championships, people say, but they can't win in the playoffs. They've lost ground to their neighbors Richmond, Roanoke and Charlotte. They're no longer the hottest team in town.
Taylor, the Admirals' oldest and most experienced player, is determined to erase such notions.
``Unfortunately, I think we've lost a lot of respect in the community,'' said Taylor on the eve of the Admirals' home opener tonight against Raleigh. ``In my first year here, when I came to training camp there would be hundreds of people watching us in practice. Now, we're lucky to have 40 people.
``I think it's just slipping away and we've got to bring it back.''
Taylor is in a unique position to help bring it back. Among the team's top scorers in each of his first four seasons, he adds another role this season, that of team captain.
It's a role he's grown into slowly. Though fiery and explosive on the ice, Taylor is quiet and shy out of uniform. Being a leader has not come naturally to the 28-year-old Michigan native.
``But I know I have a responsibility now for motivating our guys,'' he said. ``I've got to talk to them and deal with the coaches. I know I can't take a night off. I've got to set an example.''
So far, even in exhibition games, he's done that, playing with the same fire and determination that led to 54 goals in 1993-94. Two weeks ago, in an exhibition game with Roanoke, Taylor leaped through the air head first while trying to swat the puck in the net. He missed, but he doesn't miss often.
Similar injury-defying efforts led to a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win in the Admirals' regular-season opener at Charlotte.
Though his statistics last season could hardly be called disappointing - 38 goals and 40 assists in 68 games - they did not satisfy Taylor, who says he expects to score 50 goals every year. He was even more disappointed in the team's first-round playoff loss to Tallahassee.
``We've got to do better this year and I think we will,'' he said. ``We didn't have a great exhibition season (0-3), but this is a very hard-working team that works together.
``The talent is here. So is the desire to win.''
Taylor says he'll continue to play ``at least three or four more years.'' If he stays just two, he'll likely rewrite the team record book. He needs 24 goals to pass Brian Martin as the team's career leader. He needs just 18 points to catch Victor Gervais (285) for No. 2 on the career scoring list, and next season, he could catch Martin (346).
Taylor worked six weeks of hockey camps in Michigan and Hampton Roads this past summer to sharpen his resume for what he hopes will be a second career as a coach: ``It's something I've always wanted to do.''
After Taylor's 54-goal season, coach John Brophy promised him ``a lifetime contract.'' Taylor said he'll collect on that offer ``as long as my body holds up.''
``I want to coach, to teach young guys the stuff others have taught me,'' he said. ``I've got a year left to get my college degree, so I'd probably have to coach in the pros first. If (assistant coach Al MacIsaac) steps up, I'd love to try to step in here.
``But right now I haven't given up on playing.''
Or on hushing the whispers. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Forward Rod ``The Rocket'' Taylor is back for his fifth season with
the Admirals - this time as captain.
by CNB