Admirals alumni: Where are they now?

Can Rod Taylor still launch his fabled slap shot? Will fans boo Mike Butters from force of habit? And who is this Travis Smith character anyway?

The answers to these questions and others will come during the second Admirals alumni game Saturday at 3 p.m. at Scope.

The doors will open at 2 p.m., and the players will be on hand for a meet-and-greet at 5 p.m. in Scope’s exhibition hall. The day will conclude with the Norfolk Admirals taking on Binghamton at 7:15 p.m.

The alumni game will feature several of the franchise’s greatest stars, including Hall of Famers Al MacIsaac, Mark Bernard and Rod Taylor, along with other key contributors to Hampton Roads’ three championship teams.

In addition, current Norfolk Admirals coach Darren Rumble and Butters, the Norfolk Admirals general manager and former hated enforcer for Greensboro, will lace up skates as well.

And while most of the players are far removed from their playing days, Bernard sounded a warning for any ex-Admirals who are expecting the former goaltending star to cut them a few breaks Saturday.

“Whenever I put on that mask, I’m playing to win,” Bernard said.

The alumni game participants:

WHITE TEAM

Goalie Mark Bernard

Then Winningest goalie in Hampton Roads history (62), 1992 ECHL playoffs MVP who went on to become the popular vice president of the AHL Admirals

Now AHL Rockford president and Chicago Blackhawks general manager of minor league affiliates. Occasionally still dons his gear and practices with the IceHogs

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Defenseman David Buckley

Then Captained the Admirals in their debut season and scored 55 points in 59 games

Now Local insurance agent

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Forward Glen Kehrer

Then Rugged winger who contributed 49 points and 143 penalty minutes to the 1990-91 ECHL championship team.

Now Works for a medical benefits company in his native Manitoba

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Forward Don Gagne

Then Scored 55 points and ranked second to Mike Flanagan with 165 penalty minutes during the 1989-90 season

Now Between jobs while completing a move from Vancouver to Manitoba

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Forward Murray Hood

Then High-scoring center who led Hampton Roads in assists in each of the team’s first two seasons.

Now An asphalt graphics technician. Or, as ex-teammate Dennis McEwen put it, “He paints lines on the highway.’’

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Forward Dennis McEwen

Then Dubbed “The Original Admiral” as he appeared at Hampton Roads’ first-ever training camp. Ranks in the franchise’s top 10 in games, goals, assists and points.

Now Corporate sales manager for the Admirals and the chief arm-twister in lining up alumni for this event

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Forward Rod Taylor

Then The dynamic “Rocket” who finished his Hampton Roads career with more games played, goals and points than any other Admiral

Now An Inaugural Admirals Hall of Famer and sales rep for a local cleaning business.

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Defenseman Al MacIsaac

Then Was part of 1,167 games as a player, assistant coach or front office executive spanning the franchise’s ECHL and AHL days.

Now Senior director of hockey administration/assistant to the president of the Chicago Blackhawks

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Defenseman Darren Rumble

Then Former AHL Defenseman of the Year with Hershey and a member of Tampa Bay’s 2004 Stanley Cup championship squad.

Now First-year head coach of the Norfolk Admirals

BLUE TEAM

Goalie Mark Michaud

Then Posted a 3.45 goals-against average in 65 games for Hampton Roads during the 1993-94 season

Now A wine seller in Ontario

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Forward Steve Greenberg

Then Left winger who scored 82 points for Hampton Roads during the franchise’s first two seasons.

Now Was the Republican nominee for Congress in Illinois’ 8th congressional district, was defeated by incumbent Melissa Bean last November.

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Forward Chris Lukey

Then Right winger scored 86 points during Hampton Roads’ debut season

Now A local chief of firefighters in Ontario

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Forward Joel Poirer

Then Gritty former alternate captain on Hampton Roads’ third ECHL title-winning team

Now Living in England, where he runs a sports therapy business.

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Defenseman Travis Smith

Then Long-time Roanoke Express mainstay who played exactly one game for the Norfolk Admirals during the team’s 2000-01 AHL debut season

Now Continues the Roanoke-Hampton Roads rivalry by competing with Rod Taylor, David Buckley and other ex-Admirals in a local recreational men’s league.

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Forward Dave Flanagan

Then Co-MVP of the playoffs with goalie Dave Gagnon during Hampton Roads’ first ECHL championship team in 1991

Now Coaches a junior hockey team on Prince Edward Island

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Forward Brian Martin

Then Hampton Roads’ all-time leader in points per game

Now Runs a local power-washing business

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Defenseman Chad Ackerman

Then Three-year blueliner with Hampton Roads and a mainstay on the 1997-98 championship team

Now Works for a local pharmaceutical company

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Forward Mike Butters

Then Much-hated “goon” for the archrival Greensboro Monarchs

Now General manager of the Norfolk Admirals

Paul White, 757-418-1447 or paul.white@pilotonline.com