| Jacques
Demers added more Indianapolis flavor to the Cincinnati Stingers pot Tuesday as the
Stingers acquired defenseman Bryon Baltimore and winger Hugh Harris from the Racers for
Blaine Stoughton and veteran defenseman Gilles Marotte. Trade rumors involving Cincinnati
and Indianapolis surfaced last last week, with Baltimore and Stoughton mentioned among
several candidates. Demers wanted more strength on the ice, and the Stinger coach has
coveted Baltimore's services since the beginning of the season. "I feel the trade can really help us," Demers said. "Baltimore
is a big (6-foot-2, 200 pounds), strong, veteran defenseman. We now have three
veterans on defense and that gives our young players a better chance to develop. If Hugh
Harris plays up to his ability, he can help this team a lot. He can score, he's a hard
worker and he's a great team player." Harris was the Racers' captain last season
until an injury sidelined him near the end of the year. He was known as a rah-rah type who
fired up his teammates in the dressing room. The addition of Harris reunites three former
Cincinnati Sword skaters, which Rick Dudley and Butch Deadmarsh already wearing Stinger
colors. Deadmarsh came to Cincinnati from Edmonton for Del Hall at the time of the Dennis
Sobchuk deal.
Stoughton was the Stingers' second leading scorer last season with
52 goals and 52 assists for 104 points. But this year he had just six goals and 12 assists
in 30 games and was never much of a factor defensively. Stoughton's problems, however,
began during the European training camp. He was unhappy in Czechoslovakia, didn't play
part of the time because of a cut on his arm, and never really found himself when the team
returned to the US. I was not a matter of conditioning, because Stoughton had worked all
summer to stay in shape and reported for camp ready to play.
"I gave Blaine the green light at the end of October to work
for much offense and not worry as much about defense," Demers said, explaining that
he felt Stoughton's troubles might stem from the emphasis the coach had placed on defense
and position. "But it didn't seem to make any difference. He just couldn't get
going." Marotte was picked up during the summer to bolster the Stinger defense. He
was a 13-year National Hockey League veteran, but he had a slow start. Recently he had
been playing quite well for Cincinnati but the Stingers were looking for more size and
Baltimore fills the bill.
There has been distinct lack of harmony in Indianapolis this year,
and Demers mentioned that both Harris and Baltimore "couldn't get here (Cincinnati)
fast enough." The new ownership, based in Edmonton rather than Indianapolis, and a
new coach haven't set well with Indy fans or players. Harris, who has been watching the
games rather than playing for over a month after falling out of favor with coach Ron
Ingram, went so far as to criticize Ingram on a radio show. Dudley, the Stinger captain,
said he would be sorry to see Stoughton leave Cincinnati because the two had been
roommates on the road. "He's a great guy, but he hasn't been skating and the trade
isn't a big surprise." said Dudley.
Looking for the pluses and minuses of the deal, Dudley said there
was no question of Baltimore's ability, although he added that Marotte "has been
doing a good job lately. He's blocked a lot of shots." Concerning Harris Dudley
echoed Demers comment that the muscular left winger could be an asset to the team "if
he plays up to his capabilities," Dudley, of course remembers Harris not only from
playing against him but with him on the AHL Swords. "All you can really do is wait
and see," Dudley said. "It's going to be strange seeing Stash (Stoughton) and
Marotte on the other bench so soon after the trade. I just hope they don't come back to
haunt us."
The Stingers host the Racers tonight (7:35 p.m), which made the
timing of the trade seem a little shaky. The four principles in the deal will be wearing
new uniforms and facing former teammates just one day after the trade. The Stingers front
office has taken a lot of flak since the club sold Dennis Sobchuk to Edmonton. The word
went around that the Stingers needed cash. In the trade with Indy, however, there doesn't
appear to be much difference in combined salaries. It was simply a swap of bodies with an
eye to giving the Stingers more strength and perhaps a bit more respectability on the ice. |
