Komets

Updated 4:02 p.m. with David Franke's reaction below.

The Komets gave him permission to look around after meeting with him in May and saying the second year of his contract would be invalid. A European agent put his name out and HC Alleghe called and began negotiations. Chaulk said the team greatly reminds him of the Komets in that it's a small town that is used to winning.

UPDATE: 12:05 p.m.: Just talked to Colin briefly. Said he signed yesterday for one year. More details to come later.

HC Alleghe is located in Italy.

Colin is in Toronto, and I'll let you know when I talk to him.

Here's the official announcement:

More details

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/14974173.htm

The Komets announced late Wednesday that they are pushing back the announcement of the next coach until Monday. The Franke brothers say the candidates are so equal that they want more time to think about it, talk to Pat Bingham and John Marks one more time and to check on references. Both coaches say they are continuing to work on recruiting anyway.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/14972002.htm

He said he hasn't made up his mind yet, and that both candidates interviewed very well. An announcement will be made Thursday.

There's a lot to think about: Will one of them be here longer than the other would? Which form of recruiting is better, attracting players or attracting NHL affiliations? What about personality style? Which would communicate better with the fans? How about players from last year?

This is a really sad day for me because Steve Yzerman is my hockey hero.

I had been a hockey fan in the 1970s when the games were on NBC. I still remember Bobby Orr almost single-handedly beating Bernie Parent and the Flyers with slap shots off the faceoff on a power play.

John Marks

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/14947545.htm

Pat Bingham

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/14947249.htm

I know I will. Looks like the weather is going to be awesome!

Coming tomorrow I've got some in-depth features on John Marks and Pat Bingham dealing with what kind of coaches Komets' fans can expect depending on who gets the job. I'm more convinced than ever that the Komets can't go wrong with. Everybody: fans, management, players, seem to love both of these guys.

Forward P.C. Drouin just told me he is leaving the Komets play in Morzine, France. After a short visit to France, his wife Michelle will remain in Fort Wayne and continue to teach at IPFW. The couple recently bought a home in Fort Wayne.

"It just seemed like a good thing,'' Drouin said. "It's good money, and obviously it's a French-speaking area.''