Gulls Forced to Do Without Korol

The Gulls opened training camp Friday with 40 players.

But one key player--1990-91 defensive MVP Dave Korol--was not among them. Korol, who has a one-year contract, was having surgery to repair a broken arm.

Don Waddell, Gulls coach and general manager, said Korol rebroke the arm, which he fractured last season. The break occured in the forearm near where a metal plate had been set. Waddell said Korol would be lost for four to six weeks, which includes the Gulls season-opening series against Salt Lake, Oct. 3-4 at the Sports Arena.

“I guess it happened at a good time, because I still have 40 guys to look at,” Waddell said. “But we’ll start the season without him. From what I’ve seen the first day, it excites me. We’re very big, and I like a big, physical team.”

The Gulls split the squad and conducted separate workouts. Today and Sunday they will have open scrimmages--free to the public--from 4-6 p.m. at the Sports Arena. The Gulls also are promoting an NHL exhibition game between the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks next Friday at the Sports Arena. Face-off is 7:35 p.m. at the Sports Arena.