As New York Herald-Tribune sports editor Stanley Woodward once said after a long absence, “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted
It's not just the stuff that happened Friday night because I've been thinking about this for a while. I've got too much work to do, it takes a ton of time and frankly it's not as much fun as it used to be. It's more difficult to manage because it's too easy to say anything when you can post anonymously. It's no fun getting asked by players about some of the comments or trying to make sure this represents The News-Sentinel in the best way possible. It's aggravating having to check it on days off to make sure someone didn't write something out of line (which happened more than you know).
There's been some trouble with the blog service, so let's try this again. I got these a couple weeks ago from Dave Longsworth. They ought to keep you occupied all weekend and quench some of your bloodlust. Any guesses on who the dork shadow-boxing in the stands is?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2020848894988042663
The Komets announced Thursday that goaltender Kevin Reiter, skaters Matt Reynolds, Brandon Warner, Dustin Hughes and defenseman John Pence have been added to the pre-season roster.
...I've been buried writing high school previews.
Frenchy asked me to post this:
The first-annual Kevin St. Pierre JDRF Golf Classic will be held Sept. 16 at Noble Hawk Golf Links in Kendallville. The cost is $200 for a four-player team with a maximum of 36 teams, and that includes green fees, two golf carts and dinner. Included is a drawing for two Komets season tickets. To enter, call Noble Hawk at 1-888-Golf-321 or Nicole Hansen at 927-1300. The event starts at 2 p.m.
Finally, the book is available for order through the bookstores and might be on sale as early as late this week. I know Walden's in Glenbrook is ordering some copies for sure, and the rest of the stores can now order it through their supplier. It is also available at Komet Kuarters and will be available at the games against this season.
The Komets might announce a couple signings by the end of the week, but these are likely to be more rookies and role players than stars. It's starting to get toward crunch time when players who are hoping for spots in AHL training camps will have to make some decisions.
Ok everyone, I apologize for slacking off and not posting any jerseys on Ebay lately but here is the next list which I hope to post on Thursday August 2 beginning around 5:30 pm. Please take the time to carefully look at the pictures I post on EBay. These jerseys are from Stacey's collection and all are autographed and game worn. He also wore the jerseys to our home games so many will need some cleanup. If you bid on any of these on EBay please send payment promptly. The delay in posting more jerseys is somewhat due to tracking down deadbeat EBayers so that
But unlike last year when I learned my lesson, I am not leaving anyone else in charge. I'm not even encouraging anyone else to try to pick up the slack, either.
I'll be checking in sometimes to keep everyone honest, but you won't be getting updates. I'll be back Aug. 6. Everybody have fun.
The Komets have signed right wing David Hukalo, defenseman Kevin Bertram, right wing Bobby Kukulka and center Travis Granbois.
Hukalo was the UHL's defensive forward of the year, and Kukulka scored 25 goals in 61 games with three teams. Bertram has essentially been retired for three years but he's only 30, and gives the Komets a veteran without costing them a veteran roster spot. Granbois had eight points last year as a rookie in 45 games. He'll still have rookie status this year.
John Ferguson, the first Komet to make it to the National Hockey League, died Saturday night at age 68 after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Ferguson came to the Komets in 1959 as a raw rookie left wing and quit playing in 1971 as one of hockey's greatest winners with five Stanley Cup rings.
In his book, ``Thunder and Lightning'' Ferguson wrote that ``This may sound hard to believe, but the Fort Wayne Komets were the toughest team I ever had to make, throughout my entire career. They had a lot of veterans and very few spots for a rookie to crack the lineup.''
Preseason
October: 10 -- Bloomington; 12 -- at Kalamazoo; 13 -- Kalamazoo.
Regular season
October: 20 -- Port Huron; 26 -- at Bloomington; 27 -- Bloomington; 28 -- at Flint.
November: 2 -- at Port Huron; 3 -- Muskegon; 4 -- at Kalamazoo; 9 -- at Muskegon; 10 -- at Bloomington; 16 -- at Kalamazoo; 17 -- Kalamazoo; 18 -- Port Huron; 22 -- Port Huron; 23 -- at Flint; 24 -- Kalamazoo; 30 -- Port Huron.
After deliberating for several weeks, player/assistant coach Bruce Richardson is leaving the Komets to sign in the Central Hockey League. Komets General Manager David Franke said RIchardson is signing with Wichita, but Richardson declined to confirm which team it is until that team makes the announcement.
It is being reported that Mike Kardash who played for the Komets in 1961-62 died on July 3. He was a defensman who played 14 games with the Komets that season. He spent most of his time in the Eastern Hockey League playing for Charlotte.
This is some pretty awesome news from Josh:
Hey Blake just so you know everything went fine. It was a long operation but he is resting now and ready to come home. We will actually be coming home in about a week possibly. My wife wrote a big entry on his Caring Bridge page if you care to look at it. Thanks again for all the prayers.
http://www.caringbridge.org and typing in danefarlee
I've talked to several players over the past couple of weeks who have questions about the IHL's plan to change some of the rules, especially the instigator rule. That comes from players who fight and players who don't.
Today's story can be found here: <a href=http://news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070703/SPORTS01/707030305">News-Sentinel!</a>
There's been a debate going all spring about the validity of changing the United Hockey League name to the International Hockey League. The owners may have disbanded the UHL and started fresh with the IHL, though the fans see a different name but the same teams, coaches and players.
