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October 4, 2003 Generals bringing back core of defense for new season Goalie Daniel Berthiaume and defensemen Geno Parrish and Kurt Drummond will return. BY LARRY KEECH Staff Writer GREENSBORO - Three core players from last season's Greensboro Generals - goalie Daniel Berthiaume and defensemen Geno Parrish and Kurt Drummond - have signed contracts to return to the ECHL team. "You need scorers to win, but my priorities are goaltending and defense," said Rick Adduono, the Generals' second-year coach. "We won't have a more important signing announcement than this one." The three latest signees were key contributors to the Generals' 42-21-9 finish in what was a turnaround year. They join two former Generals forwards - center Mark Turner and right wing Joel Irwin - as players signed to the 20-man roster that will report Monday to begin training camp. The Generals open the season with an Oct. 17 home game against the South Carolina Stingrays. Thirty of the Generals' wins last season came with Berthiaume in goal. He also took part in 14 losses and five ties. The 37-year-old had a goals-against average of 2.90. In eight postseason games, he had a 4-4 record and a 2.98 GAA. "I've been talking with Daniel almost every day for the last two weeks, and he's excited about returning," Adduono said. "He played in more than 50 games last season, and he says he's ready to play even more this time. His competitiveness makes him a joy to have on the team." 
Daniel Berthiaume
Drummond was the Generals' defensive leader early last season before a knee injury limited him to 41 games. He finished with seven goals and 20 assists. 
Kurt Drummond
In his absence, Parrish stepped up as an all-purpose defenseman. He made the team through a tryout and ended up as one of only three Generals players to appear in all 72 regular-season games, finishing with five goals and 38 assists. "Parrish does it all," Adduono said. "He can log as much as 50 minutes per game. That kind of defensive effort is enormous." 
Geno Parrish
NOTES: The Generals lost one of their most devoted fans Wednesday with the passing of 14-year-old Kayleigh Duffy, a friend of Berthiaume who accompanied him to nearly every home game last season. She had received a bone-marrow transplant. "She touched all of us," Adduono said. Individual tickets to the Generals 36 home games are on sale and can be purchased at the Greensboro Coliseum's advance box office, at participating Lowes Food stores, online at www.tickets.com or with a call to (888) 397-3100. Season ticket and flex-plan packages are also available. Season ticket prices start at $249, and 12- and 18-game flex packages are priced at $100 and $150. Contact Larry Keech at 373-7080 or lkeech@news-record.com |