I talked with David Franke earlier, and he said the Komets will make some cuts tomorrow.
``This camp is probably as competitive as the camp we had in 2002-03,'' he said. ``I think it's one of the most competitive camps we've had since our IHL days.''
Franke also said the Komets will probably have 6-to-8 rookies make the club.
Hershey also kept nine defensemen on its roster to start the American Hockey League season, and the Komets will talk to them tomorrow.
Simple enough.
And from here on out, no more references to GQ or cardboard cutout or whatever. Call him Puhalski or the former coach or nothing at all. He won a championship here. He deserves respect for that if nothing else, and there was plenty else he did to deserve it as well.
No more references to past players' purses or whatever. Use their names. Move on, get over it. It's a new season so let's just move ahead and show the players and coaches the same class they showed us over the past few years.
It's 6-1 after two periods as the Komets have dominated. Granted, Kalamazoo did not play five key veterans, but I'm not sure how much it would have mattered, except perhaps for goaltender Tom Askey.
So, who would you like to see make the team after what you've seen in two games? Defensemen Jonas Gabrielsen and Arthur Kiyaga have been very impressive, along with new rookie forward Matt Syroczynski. K.J. Voorhees has helped his chances.
Kalamazoo broadcaster Mike Modugno said that Komets fans can listen to Saturday night's game on the web at kwings.com. The only problem is that the game will be joined in progress after the Michigan-Michigan State football game. Three's also a chance you can hear the game on 95.9 FM just North of Fort Wayne. That station will have the hockey game in its entirety.
Tuesday at 7 p.m. Komets Public Address Announcer Larry Schmitt will answer questions about the upcoming season as far as musical selections. He said he has approximately 40 new songs to play this season.
Please, let's not make the first 50 questions about the Hey, Hey song. We already know the answer to that one so why waste the time and typing.
``We're going to have something new and very cool,'' Larry said. ``It won't be Ole, Ole, either. That's all I can say right now. You'll find out opening night.''
Or maybe Tuesday if we bribe him enough.
As of right now, it's looking like most of the veterans will play, including Richardson, Goneau, Goodwin, Larocque, Ruid, Rodenko and Dupuis.
Frenchy is scheduled to play but may not because of an illness.
``A lot of guys tried to give the coach what he wants, and that's good to see. There won't be tough decisions. Nobody hurt their chances.
``I'm essentially trying to re-program these guys to play within a system. It's my vision to start with but eventually it will be the way all of our guys see the game, and the options within it. Rookies and veterans alike. ...
It's 0-0 after one period, and there have been a few flashes of brightness. Pascal Morency is continuing what he's been doing all week in practice, Mike Dombkiewicz has had a few big hits, and I've liked what I've seen from defenseman Jonas Gabrielsen who is 6-2, 191 pounds and plays like it. He's very good at using his body to keep people away from the puck, and he can skate. Kelly Miller has looked sharp early as well. Dan McWhinney looked calm in goal, but he really hasn't been tested much.
The Komets have added rookie forward Matt Syroczynski to the preseason roster. The 23-year-old comes to the Komets from Worchester of the American Hockey League where he's been in training camp. He's 6-foot, 5-inches tall, 225 pounds. Last year he played NCAA hockey at Vermont, scoring 3 goals and 9 points with 71 penaty minutes in 35 games.
He is not in the lineup for tonight's game.
This talk about the B2 and tape delay has gotten me thinking -- always a dangerous thing. I've studied this topic for two decades, looking back over every scrap of Fort Wayne's sports history.
Because of his speed and hustle, there's no doubt which player
has stood out the most after the first two days of the Fort Wayne Komets'
training camp. Forward Pascal Morency has been all over the ice.
Komets President Michael Franke said moments ago the Komets will be part of the United Hockey League's presentation on the B2 web networks, but with a catch. Fort Wayne home games will be tape-delayed 90 minutes. This allows the Komets to comply with the league's desire to be able to archive all games but also considers' the Komets' concern that it may hurt attendance, and the Memorial Coliseum's concern over broadcasting fees. Franke said there's no chance the games will eventually be shown life.
I got an e-mail from Colin Chaulk and family in Italy.
``Things are different but good. We are still finding our way and that can be
frustrating sometimes, but we are enjoying the experience. I really miss
everyone in Fort Wayne, but with no phone internet or TV it has been
difficult to stay in touch. The hockey is comparable to the old uhl(ha ha) ,
but I have only played four exhibition games.''
Here's a picture from Steve Linsenmayer of the old Komets' locker room in 2003 with Troy and Riley Neumeier featured:
And they're off...
* Bruce Richardson is not here yet. His wife Julie had a baby boy, Ty, on Wednesday. He'll be here tomorrow and the family will join him in two weeks. Everybody is doing fine.
* Martin Aubin is not skating in practice. Will try to find out more. Maybe he failed his physical.
What are you most interested in heading into camp?
What are the key stories as you see them?
Optimistic, pessimistic, ambivalent?
Player you are most interested in seeing how he does?
Colleagues of Ronald “Ryan” Taylor now fear the worst after a body matching his description was found in the Niagara River near Devil's Hole in Lewiston, N.Y., on Monday.
No, not for me, but for Doug Teskey. Thanks to a tip from FWKRTJ, who found Doug working for the Elmira Jackals as a corporate sales rep. Good for Doug.
Also, the Memorial Coliseum has pictures of the new locker rooms up on its web site. Some of you were asking, so I put a bug in Randy Brown's ear and he jumped right on it.
http://www.memorialcoliseum.com/team_room_improvements_2006.asp
Everybody have a safe and relaxing last weekend of the offseason. I plan on it.
He's the MAN! Here you go:
http://jordan.fortwayne.com/ns/sports/komets/slideshow/
And there is audio to it as well. Enjoy.
