From Komets GM David Franke:
* They are hoping to get 25 goals off the second line from Voorhees who is supposed to be a great locker room guy who can fly and has a pretty decent shot.
* O'Connell is supposed to be a very good skater who didn't play last year because of an inner ear problem.
* They can't come close to matching what Mario Larocoque wants so he won't be here this year. Franke said he's asking for $2,000 a week which is what he made last year in Danbury.
* They are looking at some younger kids who can also play for toughness. "We want to have team toughness and we're working toward that end. We
have a couple of guys on the team who will be able to drop them and go but they
have to be able to play, too. You have to have somebody that can play.
We're hovering in on a couple of guys right now that will bring
that element to us. We'll end up with some physical players here who can get the job
done.''
* They are still talking to Matt Elich's agent.
* Kevin Reiter is trying to get a tryout in the ECHL.
* MacMillan signed with Columbia , ECHL and Berry in the CHL.
* Komets are close to a deal with A.J. Bazoian.
* The Komets are going to get a defenseman from Hershey of the AHL. They already have someone in mind and the deal is done. If that player makes Hershey's roster, then Hershey will find the Komets another defenseman.
* Ryan Jorde didn't like the Komets' offer and the Komets haven't heard back from him in two weeks.
* They should be ready to announce the signing of two or three players middle of next week.
* Komets are talking to Pascal Mourency.
* Komets have not heard back from Jamie Milam.
* Matt Hunter is not calling Pat Bingham back.
With the player from Hershey, the Komets have 12 players on the roster and if they sign 2-3 next week, they'll be in great shape for this time of the summer. The biggest needs are toughness that can play, back-up goaltender, a second-line center and two or three rookies, all of which should be very doable. There's also a good chance some guys will be dropping into training camp -- the same as happens every year.
``I think there will be a lot of guys coming in
here later in September,'' Franke said, ``and some kids from the Coast. We already know there are
some ECHL teams who have over-recruited and won't have enough spots.''
Comments
The Larocque salary post was a JOKE, everyone.
MAN !
Skate,
I figured it was a joke when read it; it
And I'm sure that when Muskegon gets a new coach the article announcing it will be so over-hyped and full of hot air making the guy sound like the second coming of Scotty Bowman, Toe Blake, Mike Keenan and whoever else rolled into one super package. Their PR person must get paid by the word! LOL!
You heard it here first, Bruce Ramsay, coach of Muskegon Fury.
Really.....I'm glad to see the Rammer is getting another chance at coaching.
Hey Blakes is that OHIC NEWS?
no its not ohic news fool, its pre announcement news or current news, something the ohic doesnt even come close to. way to go rammer!
OHIC SUCKS NON Warrior updates
http://www.theuhl.com/press.aspx?rid=1740
http://www.theuhl.com/press.aspx?rid=1741
thought KW would have made these official by now but i guess i'll beat him to it
DONT!!!!Brandon if you want OHIC that s fine MAN but you DONT put up NEWS unless you have it approved by OHIC member got it! Thats how it works around here MAN so geta clue. Email one of us first then we will decide ok Do YOU want to join OHIC?
since when do i have to email anybody to post news off of the UHL website. You are Delusional if you think that every person on this site is gonna email you with their news. IF that is the case I guess all news will be a week or two late. KW where do you get off thinking you run a free blog. if you want that much control start your own blog and charge people to see it. Until then get over yourself, Ill post whatever I want till Blake himself tells me I can't.
Maybe if we ignore....
Settle down.
I don't know anything special, but I bet Rammer gets an interview. He deserves one and the transition would be incredibly smooth. He's going to be a great coach. When he was here, he had that something that you just knew he was going to be a good coach someday. Boudreau had it, Torchetti had it, Allison definitely has it. Anderson had it. It's tough to explain, but I knew right away on all of them.
I think Guy has it if he wants to coach.
you are right sir! good coaches just have an aura about them that all you have to do is talk to them for a little bit and be around them for a little time and you immediately know that they are coaching material. you can sit in the locker room with someone or sit on the bench with someone or you can coach someone or play against someone, and you just know...hard to explain but those leadership qualities just ooze out.
Not partying with the players would be a good start. That's what got him driven out of PH.
That would be great to see him at least get back into the interview process. Port Huron has been run so poorly over the last several years. Ownerships coming and going and broken promises causing fans to be afraid to get attached or interested in the team(s) because they have no idea one year to the next if there will even be a team. Ramsey (or any coach) would have a hard time planting roots when new owners come and go year to year.
Hey Tony---as one Leafs fan to another, what do you think of Toronto thus far? I'm very excited about the additions of Raycroft (despite his slump last year), Peca, and Hal Gill. Plus the rookie prospects of Jiri Tlusty and Justin Pogge is very encouraging. I'm much more excited this season than last season.
tony since youre an nhl expert, have you heard anyting about ex ranger and ft wayne native dale purinton?
LOL I am by no means an expert on anything. I just do my best to keep up with things.
On Toronto, I think they will make a return to the playoffs this year but unless Raycroft really returns to his previous form it is going to be a struggle to do much more than that. I really will be interested to see if Aubin is a late bloomer or if his undefeated run at the end of last season was something like what pitcher Tom Filer had with the Bluejays many years ago where at the same age as Aubin he came out of nowhere to go 7-0 and never approached greatness after that. He had some success in Pittsburgh before that team really went south so if he plays to form and Raycroft does the same, the Leafs could actually have one of the better tandems in the league. Now Darcy Tucker is begging for a contract extension. Personally I would rather see him get rid of him. He is coming off his best year but he is 31 and his value will never be higher. You aren't going to win a cup before his career is over so might as well get some more youth in the depleted farm system.
Pogge is going to be awesome barring any injuries and of course he keeps his head on straight.
Purinton last I heard became a free agent this summer. He really isn't anything more than an AHL or ECHL player. He has a reputation for being a dirty player,like a Barnaby only he doesn't have the skills of Barnaby so teams are less likely to want him.
if he drops far enough then he could be our brusing d man! but i bet after making the big bucks in the show he wouldnt want to come here for a few more years at least.
Tony- I don't see Aubin cutting it when the pressure is on, I think that's why he couldn't make it in Pittsburgh (that and no defense). Other than that I would hope the Leafs do well.
Ironically, I just talked to Dale's brother Terry, or as I know it Terry's brother Dale, and he said Dale has had some interest from other NHL teams, mostly wanting him on a two-way. And Dale just got married.
Blake,
Nice of you to protect PA and delete that post.
I'm sorry I dont read your blog every single day so its possible I didnt see that topic then. Did you think of that before you tossed insults?
As far as suggestions, I actually did come up with list sometime around December, I posted it on here and another place, actually. Numerous people agreed with my list actually and agreed that the music during the game drags down the atmosphere. I know that it was read because there was a response from PA but nothing was ever used.
Personally, I'm used to terrible music being played at Komets games for as long as I can remember so I'm not too bothered but when I bring people to games almost every one of them comments on how much more the crowd could get into it by better music during stoppages or more entertaining things to keep the going excited.
This is part of the reason why its so tame in the "Jungle" anymore.
Thanks and hopefully you won't delete this post too.
Fair enough Jason. I get a little tired of all the negativity on here all the time and maybe I overreacted. I apologize.
Here's the thread were we talked a lot about the music.
http://blogs.fortwayne.com/tailing_the_komets/2006/07/retired_numbers.html#comments
No problem.
I hear you on the negativity but I think this is something that can make the atmosphere a lot better at the games.
I didnt want to post this on that other thread as it is as dead as can be.
Couple of ideas:
Entrance songs: The WTTJ has is always been a mainstay but it may not hurt to save that for big games and have something else normally like:
Thunderstruck- I realize that a lot of teams use this as an entrance song but it is electric.
Hells Bells: This is song is played at Colts games a lot and the crowd gets pretty fired up there.
Lose Yourself: Two things with this. It's a great entrance but only for big games. The first 40 seconds of that song are incredible, especially the words as they actually make sense for a big game. I believe it was played right before the Komets came out for Game 5 of 2003 Cup Finals clinching game. The only problem with this is that some people would complain that its rap.
Another which doenst really fit FW but was really awesome was in Carolina, where they played "Rock you like a Hurricane" and that building was electric. Obviously, that one doesnt quite fit here.
As far as goal songs, couple of ideas:
-Obviously R&R is great and would love it all the time but its pretty awesome when we havent used it all year and then we do use, like last year vs Kalamazoo, that game was incredible. So, maybe keep it around for playoffs and special occasions or big games.
-Someone said, Jump Around on the other thread and thats actually not a bad idea. It gets into it really quick and its exciting. But it doesnt really jive too well with the bells.
-Someone said Yeah, by Lil Jon but that was immediately shot down by a few older/conservative people who dont like rap. It's actually a pretty fun song for goals.
-If you want an old one, Bang on the Drums is a pretty good one. This is actually used at a couple of NFL stadiums for touchdowns.
Couple of other situational ones. U2 is actually pretty solid for sports. Vertigo is a good song, its recent, upbeat and most people of all ages know it.
Another is Sweet Caroline. Again used in a lot of stadiums buts it good one for all ages. Probably have to be played during the 10 minute mark break during periods so you have time to get to the sing along parts.
Another U2 is Beautiful Day. Maybe play this on the 1st whistle after a goal.
One other is Dont stop believin, Journey. This is a good one to play before the start of the 3rd period if the Komets are down.
Just a couple of ideas...I'm trying to think of other goal scoring songs but its tough to think of one.. I hate to agree with most but RandR, p2 was about perfect.
Does anyone remember what was played after goals prior to RandR???
Sorry for posting this so late.
Jason,
every song you mentioned has had a place in the games at some time. The logistics are the songs only get played for a maximum of about 15-25 seconds at most. At football games they have a tremendous amount of time to fill between plays. If you go to a Detroit Red Wings or NHL game, you will find a playlist similar to the one I use at the home games. I study the internet constantly and chat with other music programmers in other hockey leagues and try to bring new songs into the mix and keep the old favorites too. I actually have a larger amount of songs that are kept rotation than most teams. Just as with any job it's a work in progress. And just as with every thing in the off season, I have to defend my actions without having done anything in the last 5 months. Give it time, enjoy the team, and enjoy the game.
Larry,
Completely understand the small time window thing as I thought about that prior to writing down any goal scoring and or stoppage in the play songs.
I guess my beef is that I go to other arenas and the fans are a lot more into the game than in Fort Wayne, which really isnt your fault, most likely, probably says more about our fan base. For example, in Rockford it seemed everyone was into the game. They had great chants and it was a lot of fun. I'm sure part of that was also due to the fun team they had last year, whereas, for the better part of 6 years, we have not had a fun team to watch.
I think considering those things, you are actually doing a really good job.
J,
A large portion of the people that comes also are ones that only attende a couple of games a year. There are quite a few that get into games, but I think as a whole it's smaller than those who just come because it's something to do.
Also remember that after the expansion of the MC, sound from the crowd doesn't travel well at all. Other UHL teams have a much smaller arena to play in which helps keep things loud. Also, Ft. Wayne doesn't have any chants that are used normally like other teams. The only one I can think of is 'He shoots, he scores!' and only certain sections get into that chant anyhow.
The other thing might be that there are so many fans who have been there for so long that they are more reserved. It's almost like a Canadian hockey crowd sometimes. Much more judgemental.