In our trip through the archives to 1992, a controversial player returned from a lengthy suspension, but were more incidents forthcoming?
By: Nick Gates
The East Coast League thought it had heard the last of Jason Taylor in October when commissioner Pat Kelly suspended the Columbus center for the season.
Well, Jason’s back and he could cost the league $150,000 and further embarrassment.
Taylor, 24. was banned after a stick-swinging incident during a game in Norfolk, Va., Oct. 25. The Chill’s captain was on the bench and struck Hampton Roads’ Harry Mews in the face with his stick as the Admiral skated past. Mews, a Washington Capitals’ farmhand, suffered multiple jaw fractures but returned to play with Baltimore of the American League in January.
Taylor was granted a temporary restraining order from Ohio Commons Plea Court Judge Tommy Thompson Jan. 30 to resume playing until an appeal of his suspension can be heard by the ECHL. Taylor also filed suit against the league, asking for $150,000 in damages.
At a Board of Governors meeting in Charlotte Feb. 3 and 4, the league upheld the suspension and decided to fight the injunction. They have decided to take the matter to the American Arbitration Board and Taylor can play until there is a hearing.
THNKelly maintains the ECHL has no means of appeal and the commissioner’s verdict is final. Taylor’s attorney Laurie Belan disagrees.
“The main thrust was Jason was denied his right of appeal,” she said. “The league has taken the position there is no appeal process.”
League by-laws allow for an appeal but not how the appeal should be conducted, Belan claims. The attorney said the by-laws, as well as Taylor’s contract, should allow him to play until an appeal is heard.
“I made a mistake and had to suffer for it,” said Taylor, who maintains the incident was an accident.
Taylor returned to action Jan. 31. In his first games after his return, he had one goal and an assist.
Kelly went to Norfolk Feb. 7 to head off any possible trouble in a game between Hampton Roads and Columbus. The Admirals won 7-2 without incident.
Northland HockeyREBEL YELL: Henry Brabham, Roanoke Valley owner and one of the league’s founding fathers threatened to sell his team on the eve of the ECHL’s winter meetings.
The 62-year-old oilman cited increased operating costs and sagging attendance-Roanoke ranks 14th in the 15-team league with a 2,069 per-game average- as the reasons for selling the Rebels.
Although he built the LancerLot Arena in 1983 to keep minor-league hockey in the area, the franchise lost money last season and a request for the sale of at least 500 season tickets fell far short.
Brabham said he is 90 percent certain hockey won’t return to Vinton next season. However, owners rejected two bids to buy the team and move it to either Birmingham, Ala., or Memphis, Tenn.
NOTEBOOK: While Kelly maintains there are no planned franchise moves, there are reports of two possible changes for next season. Sources claim Winston-Salem last in attendance at 2,048 per game despite a new arena—will move to Wheeling, W. Va. The Roanoke Times and World-News reported Knoxville also would be sold, but Cherokees’ owner Bob Thomas refuted the claim…The Board of Governors voted to extend Kelly’s contract through the 1992-93 season…Cincinnati will host the ECHL’s first All-Star Game next January.