By Brendan Savage
JOURNAL SPORTS WRITER

It's a rite of summer.

The Flint Generals sign a new goaltender and then spend the next
several months singing his praises as the man who'll lead the United
Hockey League club to the promised land.

Trouble is, the hotshot net-minders haven't exactly panned out the
last few years.

First, Steve Vezina was a huge bust in 2000-01.

Then Matt Mullin failed to hang onto the starting job the next
season.

And last year, Martin Villeneuve proved to be the biggest
disappointment of all as he came to Flint with glowing credentials
but was waived at midseason.

Now, the Generals are excited about another potential savior, one
whom coach Robbie Nichols believes might finally be the answer to
Flint's problems between the pipes.

The Generals signed three-year veteran Mike Gorman to a one-year
contract Monday, marking the first player Nichols has signed in his
rebuilding effort.

"I watched him play (in 2001-02 for Lake Charles) when I was in
Memphis," Nichols said. "They didn't have a great team, they had a
good team, but he was incredible. I remember him winning games by
himself. Hamilton (of the American Hockey League) speaks highly of
him, so I know he can play.

"I really feel comfortable with him. I've been going after him for a
long time. He turned down a two-way contract to come here and keep
his options open."

Gorman certainly has posted outstanding numbers in three pro seasons
after a four-year stint in the Ontario Hockey League.

His best season came two years ago with the Odessa Jackalopes of the
Central League, where he was voted the league's goalie of the year
after posting a 32-7-3 record, .931 save percentage, 2.16 GAA and
five shutouts.

In 140 career games, Gorman has a 78-46-12 record, .917 save
percentage, 2.71 GAA and 11 shutouts.

"That's one of the first jobs I wanted to get filled," said Nichols,
whose club missed the playoffs last season. "I really want to make
sure we get out goaltending and back end in place. Mike is going to
play a lot.

"That's another good thing. He likes a heavy workload."

The CHL and now-defunct WPHL are both considered a step below the
UHL, but Nichols doesn't think the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Gorman will
have any trouble adjusting to his new league.

"I agree this league is a tad stronger," Nichols said. "But I've seen
guys jump both ways and they all seem to do pretty well. Now, we need
some defense. We're looking at a lot of quality, strong, tough
defensemen."

Nichols said he and captain Jim Duhart, who led Flint with 101 goals
the past two seasons, are close to a contact agreement. Duhart said
there are only a couple of issues that need to be worked out, but
he's getting impatient since a number of other clubs are interested
in his services.

Nichols also spent Monday trying to work out deals for forwards Bobby
Reynolds and Kevin Kerr.

Reynolds, the team's leading scorer the past two years, met with
Nichols on Monday about a new contract and Nichols spoke with
Columbus Stars general manager Robb King about reacquiring Kerr, the
all-time leading goal scorer in Flint and UHL history.

Nichols has heard rumblings that some people don't think Duhart,
Reynolds and Kerr could all play together, but he doesn't foresee any
problems.

"Somebody asked what I would do with all three and I said that
wouldn't be a bad start," Nichols said with a laugh. "I'd like to get
some of them done this week."

IN GENERAL: Nichols said Sean Weaver, who spent last season with the
Generals but still retains his rookie status, will get a chance to
serve as Gorman's backup. ... Kerr spent the past two weeks in the
Czech Republic, where he helped Team Canada win the bronze medal at
the Inline Hockey World Championships. ... Missouri did not renew the
contract of coach Mark Reeds, who was replaced behind the River
Otters bench by former Flint Spirit Lonnie Loach. Reeds is the new
coach in Kalamazoo.

QUICK FACTS
Mike Gorman's career statistics

Season Team (league) Gm W L O SO Sv% GAA
2000-01 Lake Charles (WPHL) 43 18 21 3 2 .902 3.36
2001-02 Odessa (CHL) 44 32 7 3 5 .931 2.16
2002-03 Odessa (CHL) 53 28 18 6 4 .920 2.68
Totals 140 78 46 12 11 .917 2.71