Yerkovich to play in Winter Olympics

Tim Graham

Friday, Jan. 30, 1998 | 6:34 a.m.

The last thing the Las Vegas Thunder needs right now is another honor.

The 5-year-old franchise always has been proud to publicize its big-name players -- those it has sent to the National Hockey League, those it has signed in return.

But the latest source of pride feels more like a punch in the gut as the Thunder prepares for its two-game set against the San Antonio Dragons. They play at the Thomas & Mack Center tonight and Saturday night at 7:05.

At a time when the roster can least afford another hit, defenseman Sergei Yerkovich leaves Sunday for the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. He will join former Thunder players Ruslan Salei and Vladimir Tsyplakov to compete for their native Belarus.

"The first time in the Olympic Games in somebody's life is a dream of everyone," Yerkovich said through teammate Rodrigo Lavinsh, a member of the Latvian national team (which Belarus defeated to earn its trip to Japan).

"I'm ready."

Yerkovich will be gone at least through Feb. 12 if Belarus does not qualify for the finals. If Belarus does beat out Germany, France and Japan in the preliminaries, Yerkovich will be gone a week longer.

"Yerkie's been a huge contributor to our hockey club," Thunder head coach Chris McSorley said. "Losing him will be a huge hole, but it's up to the remaining mules to pull the wagon."

Instead of rolling, the Thunder is reeling after recent injuries.

Left wing Jeff Christian underwent surgery at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center on Thursday for a herniated disc in his lower back. Trainer Van Parfet said Christian could be out 8-10 weeks.

Right wing Rob Pattison will be out a minimum of two weeks with damaged ligaments in his left elbow. Center Jesse Belanger (knee) and goaltender Tim Cheveldae (ankle) also are battling injuries.

Those concerns are in addition to the one that remains on the blue line, where the Thunder has performed, at best, erratically.

The loss of Yerkovich only compounds all of the above, but his honor cannot be denied.

"There'll be a lot of players happy to see Sergei contribute for his country," McSorley said. "The chance to watch him play on TV will be a thrill for each of us."

Yerkovich joined the Thunder last year and immediately made an impact. He played in 76 games, recording six goals and 19 assists with 167 penalty minutes. He was the 68th overall selection by the Edmonton Oilers in last year's NHL draft.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder had a decent camp with Edmonton. But when the big club sent him back to the Thunder for more seasoning, he grew increasingly despondent.

"He did go through a bit of an adjustment, but we're very happy with Sergei's attitude and work ethic," McSorley said.

Yerkovich has two goals, seven assists and 57 penalty minutes in 41 games.

"He has reached and is starting to exceed last year's performance," McSorley said.

Thunderbolts

* PENAL LEAGUE: The newest player to don a Las Vegas Thunder sweater is, to be conservative, an enforcer. San Diego of the West Coast Hockey League has loaned Chad Wagner to Las Vegas. In 27 games with the Gulls this season the 6-foot-3, 225-pound forward has three goals, four assists and 310 penalty minutes. He amassed 510 penalty minutes in 45 games last season. "He's a big physical kid, full of game," Thunder head coach Chris McSorley said. Wagner will play tonight and Saturday night against San Antonio, but must be returned to San Diego by Sunday. "San Antonio is a very physical team," McSorley said. "Chad's game has the ability to deter any hostile activities."

* THE VICTIM: Thunder GM Bob Strumm said he may recall defenseman Thom Cullen from Tacoma next week. Cullen made national headlines in the WCHL last week when Phoenix goon Jason MacIntyre swung his stick with both hands and nailed Cullen in the face. Cullen's nose was broken in several places, and he needed 20 stitches to close multiple facial lacerations. As a result, MacIntyre was banned from the league for life. Strumm said Cullen's injuries do not preclude him from playing. Cullen recorded four assists and 20 penalty minutes in 23 games for Las Vegas this season. ... Strumm also said he is in no hurry to garner that second defenseman to fill the salary slot left by the trade of Darcy Loewen. "It's such a delicate decision," Strumm said. "In terms of where we're at, it's critical we make the right decision." Defenseman David Shaw was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning last week.

* LOOSE PUCKS: The great Dan Shermerhorn experiment is over. Shermerhorn, whose gaudy offensive stats prompted his recall from Tacoma last week, was given an opportunity to play on the Thunder's top two lines. He failed to produce and was returned to Tacoma after Tuesday night's loss to Fort Wayne. ... Goaltender Konstantin Simchuk, who stuck around Tuesday as security for Tim Cheveldae's unstable ankle, also was sent to Tacoma after Cheveldae was given the green light to play.