Injury will force Gervais to miss his Hall induction

Hampton Roads Admirals great Victor Gervais will miss tonight's Hall of Fame induction ceremony after breaking a bone in his right foot.

Gervais, the ECHL Admirals' all-time leader in assists, was hurt blocking a shot last week while coaching a junior hockey team in British Columbia. Gervais still had planned to come to Norfolk, but Wednesday his doctor told him the long flight put him at risk of suffering a blood clot.

"It sucks, especially because there were so many people I wanted to thank," said Gervais, who also was scheduled to play in Saturday's Admirals alumni game. "What a bummer. I had my speech ready and everything."

Admirals fans still might hear that speech, though, as the organization is trying to arrange a video feed of Gervais giving his acceptance remarks from British Columbia.

Mark Bernard, this year's other Hall of Fame inductee, is scheduled to arrive in Norfolk this afternoon for today's 7 p.m. ceremony before the Admirals-Binghamton game at Scope.

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