You can read today's story here.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Evansville officials plan to build a new 11,000-seat arena in conjunction with a major remodeling of a downtown hotel.
Work could start as early as next month on what Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel (WINE'-zap-fuhl) says will be a transformation of the city's downtown.
The plan announced Monday will put the $127 million arena on a different site than first picked after the city could not agree with property owners on a sale price. The new project will include partial demolition of the existing 470-room Executive Inn.
Just got off the phone with him and his sole goal in coming to Fort Wayne is to win a title.
"There was a team in the Central League I was talking to and I was kind of leaning toward going to England, but this fell into my lap," he said. "I look at it as a good chance for me to win a championship. At this point in my career, that's what I want. Obviously there's a winning tradition in Fort Wayne, and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Komets GM David Franke said Brad MacMillan does not need more surgery on his right hand, just to lay off the heavy bag for a while to let it fully heal.
The Komets announced Monday that seven-time Komet Defenseman of the Year Guy Dupuis has been re-signed for the 2009-10 campaign. Dupuis, also league Defenseman of the Year the past three straight seasons, will again captain the Komets in their defense of the Turner Cup championship.
Blair Stayzer is reporting on his Facebook page that he has signed with the Komets. I asked David Franke about this and he said, "We're talking to him, but nothing has been finalized. I expect him to sign here, that's the way it's leaning, but I don't have any paperwork yet. Then I have to get it approved from the league. I don't know when I'll get that."
You can read Colin Chaulk's reaction to re-signing here. I also talked to Leo Thomas late last night and he's thrilled.
Here's also an interestng story about local memorabilia collector Don Graham who has a ton of Komets progams he's scanning into the Allen County Library database as part of his retirement project. Don is a huge Komets fan and co-author
According to Fort Wayne-native and Dayton Gems marketing guru Matt Goshert, if you want to buy tickets to the opener in Dayton, call 937-275-7777. Info will also be up soon at daytongems.com.
The Komets announced Wednesday that skater Colin Chaulk has inked an agreement to remain with the IHL club for his third defense of a Fort Wayne championship when the 2009-10 campaign gets underway in October.
Chaulk, 32, will be entering his 12th career year and seventh season with the Komets. He will also serve as player-assistant coach to Al Sims for his third straight season.
You can read a column about Ken Ullyot here, and a roundup of stuff you already know from David Franke here.
Also, Dayton is reporting the Gems will open their home schedule Oct. 16 against the Komets.
Komets are expected to announce some signings this week, including Leo Thomas. They are awaiting paperwork and final approval from the league.
Here's a quick rundown on what David Franke had to say about everyone else.
Guy Dupuis: Expects to sign.
Colin Chaulk: Expects to sign.
Mitch Woods: They are talking to him. He's also being pursued by CHL teams.
Nick Boucher: Anticipate him coming back.
Back-up goaltender: Working on it, but it won't be another No. 1.
Yep, I was the dude having the massive party at the Holiday Inn that kept Burgee up. The short, balding old dude was already there! Other observations:
* Alan is correct about the roster turnover from the beginning of the season, except Al Sims prefers to stick with what he's got it at all possible. In his perfect world, he'd take 22 players and make them all better by the end of the season.
According to Komets president Michael Franke, "By early next week I think we'll have some information. I will tell you that the schedling meeing and the all the drafts have been rescheduled and will be coming up late next week."
Asked if he had any plans on heading to Quad City early next week, Franke said, "I can't say."
This is the Stanley Cup in Mario Lemieux's pool during the Penguins' celebration.
... and would like to have a chance to tee it up with some Komets, the second-annual Putts for Mutts event will be held Aug. 8 at Chestnut Hills Golf Course. Cost is $400 for a team of four or $125 for indivdiual golfer or $400 to golf with a Komet. The list so far includes P.C. Drouin (best golfer on the team by far), Guy Dupuis, Colin Chin and Al Sims, but I also know Robbie Laird is heavily involved with this and they are working on some legends and other current players. For more information, call 797-2230 or 800-707-5884.
Coming back to play a vital role in the playoffs after suffering a broke hand may have cost forward Brad MacMillan. MacMillan said his right hand is not healing correctly and may need surgery.
“I started having problems when I started driving up here,” MacMillan said from his home in Fairbanks, Alaska. “I just thought the pain might be part of the healing process, but it kept getting worse.”
League officials originally hoped to hold the expansion draft on Friday, but it will likely be held next week. The hold-up is another potential expansion franchise, though no one will comment officially or answer specific questions about the state of a possible Quad City team.
"We will reconvene our annual meeting in the next 48 hours and finish up the annual meeting and have announcements to make at that point and time for firm dates on the scheduling meeting and some other announcements," Komets President Michael Franke said. "Any of the expansion stuff right now I can't speak to."
The coliseum will be hosting the girls state basketball touranment on March 6 so it's likely the Komets will be on the road that weekend. At the very least, they'll have to play road games on Friday and Saturday. You can read about it here. This is a good deal for Fort Wayne, and especially girls basketball which is outstanding in this
Justin Hodgman is going to the Chicago Blackhawks' prospect camp July 5-10. He's currently working out with trainer Paul Zinchenko and skating a couple nights a week to get ready.
"I don't want to go in with any expectations," he said. "I want to go in and work hard, and as a free agent you have to earn everything you get. Last year I made a good first impression in Minnesota, and I'm going to try to do the same thing in Chicago."
Here's what I've got so far. This is NOT everyone. Feel free to suggest some additions. If you can figure out who is the toughest at No. 4 with Purinton, Madigan or Parsons, then God bless you.
00 Kevin Weekes
1 Chuck Adamson/Steve Janaszak
I wrote a story today about two local guys who are putting together a list of the greatest athletes to wear each number in sports. You can read the story here. If you'd like to vote, you're going to have to pick up the paper.
