GADES NOTES: Norris, Kubaliak won’t return

Norris, Kubaliak won't return

Scratch two players who were expected to show up for Richmond's training camp, which opens Oct. 13 at the Coliseum.

Coach Brian Goudie said yesterday that defensemen Bret Norris and Jozef Kubaliak will not be part of the Renegades' roster for 2008-09.

Norris, who played in 37 games for Richmond last season after coming from Jacksonville in a trade, told Goudie he was going to coach in minor hockey this year.

"He's an older guy [26], so I think he decided to move on with his life," Goudie said.

Kubaliak, who was obtained in an August trade with Twin City, didn't tell Goudie he was going to training camp with Memphis (Central Hockey League), and that didn't sit well with the Richmond boss.

"Some players don't even care to give you the courtesy of a call," Goudie said. "I have 10, 11, 12, 13 guys going to different camps. Most of them call me and let me know what their plans are. I have no problem with that. But when guys do it and don't call me, I've got to move on and find somebody else."

Goudie said he expects as many as 25 to 30 players in camp, once everyone filters down from higher levels.

One of the top newcomers will be center Ryan Busby, who spent four years at Plattsburgh University (N.Y.) before playing in Finland last season.

"Small guy, fast, crafty," Goudie said. "He was thinking about not playing, then he started getting the itch, and we ended up getting him."

SPHL will test using four officials in games

The Southern Professional Hockey League's Board of Governors has approved the use of four-man officiating crews for 15 games this season. Four officials are used for all NHL games and for a portion of the American Hockey League schedule.

The four-man crew features two referees with equal penalty-calling responsibilities and two linesmen used primarily for offside, icing and breaking up fights.

Allan B. Harvie Jr., president and general manager of the Renegades, doesn't yet know which Richmond games will have four officials, but is anticipating one in November. - John Packett