Evening star., 1941-11-14
New Club Not Smooth
In Team Play, Says
Veteran Burrage
=
Makes League Bow Here
Tuesday; Opens Season
In Johnstown Tomorrow
BY BURTON HAWKINS.

Lean Len Burrage, whose fash
ionable defensive labor has provided
the Washington Eagles with a back
bone in their b ief existence, isn't
certain the local entry in the East
eFn Amateur Hockey League will
manufacture another winner. He
isn't pessimistic, but he's consider
ably cautious.
We need two or three more real
good workouts" confessed Burrage,
who chaperoned seven new team
mates here from Montreal, and we
won't be able to get them before we
start playing for keeps tomorrow
night at JohnstoWn.
Il really thought we'd have bad
team until recently, but we've
looked better in our last coupla ex-
1ibitions and we may be all right
Most of the fellows are new to each
other and we haven't had much
chance to work together. We really
can't tell what We have yet.
I'll say one thing, though. II
Red Coach Mackenzie) shows up
with Keith Allen today and we're
able to keep him we're gonna have
a real hockey player. I've been
around few years and that kid is a
coming player if I ever saw one.
There's been some doubt about
who's going to get him, but hope
he sticks with us
Still Fond of Fighting.
All of which would indicate there
Is little jealousy in sharp-faced Mr..
Burrage for, like Len, Allen is a de
fenseman. Len, however, has been
carrying the load of the Eagles de-
fense work for two seasons and at
this stage doubtless would appreciate
more talented aid.
There is doubt. too, if the Eagles
will be able to hang on to Rolly
McLenahan. another defenSeman.
The Baltimore Orioles. also of the
Eastern League, are attempting to
pluck him from the local outfit,
which still is hoping to snare the
colorful Bill Davies. a rugged de-
fenseman who sparkled with the
1939-40 Eagles.
"Well be q lot lighter than We
have BEEN confesses Burrage. but
we may be fast enough to Offset that.
I don't believe any club will start
many fights with US Just because
we're light because some of these
kids love to throw fists"
Any mention of brawling must in
clude little Paul Courteau. who feels
he must insert his chunky frame
into any argument within skating
distance. Paul. center who also is
being tested at wing is one of the
three holdoverS the Eagles will carry
into action in their league debut
against the Bluebirds tomorrow
night at Johnstown.
Art Thompson. a slightly con-
structed wing who figured little in
the Eagles championship drive last
season, is regarded as the other
veteran Thompson reported late
last season and was employed spar
ingly.
Many Gone From Club.
Missing this season will be such
familiar faces as Gordon Pranschke
Frank Mailley. Jack Macbeth, Mike
Germann, Hal Dewey, Roy Nc
Bride, Norman Burns, Russ Rossig-
mol, Ross Knipfel. Johnny McTeer
Jimmy MCCurry, Walter Scherer, Les
Colvin and Gordon Hemming, but
Coach Mackenzie previously ha,
started from scratch and done al
right.
Mailley is performing with the
Eagles American League opposition
the Lions, while Goalie Hemming
has joined the Canadian Navy
Dewey also has been graduated tt
professional ranks, as has Burns
while others have been refused per-
mission to cross the border or have
decided to play with Canadian clubs
Mackenzie was expected to arrive
late today with Thompson, Courteau
Allen, Tom Mccormack, ROLAND
Bleau, Les Hickey, Marty Madore
and Ernie Mundey. while Burrage
arrived yesterday with Goalies Car
Howell and Leith Dickey, Wingmer
Kenny Ullyot. Fred Weaver and Odit
Hallowell and Defensemen Art Les
sard and McLenahan.
The Eagles will play at John
town tomorrow night and Sunday
afternoon then open their home
schedule at Riverside Stadium or
Tuesday night against the New Yorl
Rovers. JohnStOWn is managed by
Pick Hines, former Baltimore coach
and the team is sprinkled with ex
Orioles