All year long fans have debated the comparison between the IHL and the CHL, and the players were always reluctant to go on the record during the season.
Nick Boucher:
``It took us 20, 25 games to realize you have to compete every night. There were a lot of games at the start of the year where we just didn't compete and we lost. We got what we deserved at the start of the year. We're not the big dogs on the block any more, and I think running the table like we had in the IHL, maybe a lot of guys, and I'm not excluding myself, maybe we felt it was going to come easy. Teams in this league are young, fast and hungry. We weren't the big dog on the block any more and there wasn't the fear of Fort Wayne like there had been. If there's anything we can take away from this season, it's that we have to compete and bring it every night. The league skill-wise isn't any better than the `I' was, but it's competitve. Look at Quad City, they didn't have a ton of talent, Bloomington... there were some teams without a lot of talent, but they just worked and they had good seasons because of it.''
Colin Chaulk:
``I don't think the league is a better league. I believe it's more of a skating league. It might be a touch faster, but players skate more. They move their feet more because of the obstruction and the rules. (Management) will look at that.''
Comments
Shut up? Are you 4 years old kw? Hopefully the Frankes make "another good team" over the summer this year instead of in late March when it's too late for them to learn to play well together.
Love the idea of a home and home with the wings on opening weekend Hit somebody. I agree it would be a sell out in both buildings. Would love a home and home with Toledo and Cincy. Would bring back huge rivarlies. If all the Texas teams jump ship you are looking at a 12 team CHL league. It wouldnt make sense for that league. They would have 12 teams all over the United States. I like Jungle Monkeys list, but would like to see what league we end up in. I am still hoping that an AHL team ends up here. I am allowed to have dreams LOL!! Go Komets!!
Yogi1515...DO NOT HOLD YOUR BREATH. AHL will not happen in the Memorial Coliseum. You can have your dream that is allowed. For reasons talked about over and over again on this blog it just will not happen. The Franke's are men of honor. They made a 2 year commitment to the CHL and I think they will honor that. Something unforeseen could happen that's for sure in minor league hockey. It will be a very interesting summer.
Let me ask this... Who of these players do you think have a shot at the AHL? A-pod= I don't think so. The CHL and AHL are two completely different leagues.
If Schrock can get an AHL camp invite, so can APod..No question about it. The kid is raw but the talent is there
I'm just glad I'm not the only one who said "Well, duh!" when I read Boucher's quote... Can't win if you don't show up to compete...
Hey Snuff, to answer your question on former Komets returning as coaches....
just off the top of my head I can think of these...
Eddie Long
Ted Wright
Ron Ullyot
Robbie Laird
Marc Boileau
Bruce Boudreau
Al Sims
Maybe Moe Benoit or Moe Bartoli, I can't remember which.
....I know I'm missing someone else... plus don't forget that Colin Chin and another player were co-player/coaches for part of one year.
As far as the discussion about "speed". Look everyone, "speed" doesn't indicate great players. Sure, I'd like to see an increase of "speed" also. With the speed must come scoring abiltiy and good hockey instincts. Otherwise we would just get more guys like Chris Francis and Neil Musselwhite.
I left DeAngelis off my list. I think he plays his role well, but he wants to play in Italy. He made that clear last offseason. Many times this season people called him "arguably the best dman in the league". I think thats a little much. He's good offensively, but in the defensive zone leave a bit to be desired. He's also going to command a higher salary and who knows if he and Warner will demand to be a "package deal" like last season. Out side of Guy, Frankie was our only dman with strong offensive ability. I think we need a guy who can go strong both ways and has some size. See Andrew Martens of Wichita, Matt Gens...etc..
I'm not opposed to Frankie returning if he WANTS to be here. If his heart is in Italy, his skates should be too.
JM, please don't bring up that name...
Snuff, I think the guy I was forgetting was Tommie McVie.
Just as important as who is on our team is who we will be playing. I can't justify driving through two time zones for an away game. Well, justify is probably not the correct word. It is more like I can't afford it. Will be interesting to see how many teams the CHL loses and how many teams the ECHL loses.
Well as long as they keep Sims, You will have same results, sorry that is just reality. He just can't get it done is this league, not willing to change same old stick in the butt.
FYI,
Not sure you could count Bartoli - he was a player-coach in 1969-70.
Same with Boileau - he was a player then became player-coach in 1970-71. Although hockeydb.com says 1971-72 to 1973-74, I have programs from the 1970-71 season that list Boileau as head coach.
Tommy McVie played in Fort Wayne in 1971-72 (under Boileau), but he didn't coach in Fort Wayne - he coached in Dayton.
Hope this helps.
Alan,
Derek Ray was a co-coach with Colin Chin.
Thanks guys! I knew there were a few besides Boudreau and Sims when I was typing last night but I was more brain dead than usual lol.
Kometswin reminds me of another passionate poster who also had KW in his name. Time to bring back the OHICA or whatever the secret society was called?
He is right though. Management WILL make the needed changes going into next season based on what league they are in and what salary/vet restrictions they have. I think the frustration of this season has them VERY motivated. Some of that came across in the comments David Franke made during the playoffs. I think they will put that frustration to good use this summer.
I know that Boileau was the Coach (and not a player/coach) in 72-73. ( Turner Cup year). The next season he was named as Coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the middle of the season. I'm wondering who took over as Coach when he left. That was the reason I mentioned McVie.
Jeff, thanks for the reminder regarding Derek Ray.
Like I said in my original post, it was all from memory and did not look anything up.
I think Moose Lallo took over after Boileau.
Ted Wright
1962-63 Ken Ullyot 35-30-5 won Turner Cup
1963-64 Ken Ullyot 41-28-1 lost in fi nals
1964-65 Eddie Long 40-25-5 won Turner Cup
1965-66 Eddie Long 38-26-6 lost in semifi nals
1966-67 Ken Ullyot 40-31-1 lost in fi nals
1967-68 Ken Ullyot 30-29-13 lost in semifi nals
1968-69 Len Th ornson 24-33-15 lost in semifi nals
1969-70 Moe Bartoli 26-38-8 lost in quarterfi nals
1970-71 Ken Ullyot 5-8-0