It's 4-6 p.m. today at Komet Kuarters. We'll have Bob Chase, Danko Mironovic, Leo Thomas and Steve Fletcher signing. Tales of the Komets, Legends of the Komets, Live From Radio Rinkside and The Lake Effect will all be on sale for $15. Great for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts.
For all of you who have purchased Legends of the Komets, Ken Ullyot said he's going to try to show up Thursday. No promises.
Comments
I'm rooting for Flint :)
Cant have anything useful for a Fathers Day gift like a book...
I need something like a plastic golfer guy who hits wadded up sheets of paper into the trash can, or a #1 dad pen that I think the manufacturer never actually put ink into, or a tie, etc... LOL...
I know, I know, its the thought that counts... Just having some fun...
Blake, I have a question for you on the Flint situation that I also plan on emailing to the league...
Maybe you can find out what exactly constitutes in the IHL's Bylaws actions by a franchise that would make the IHL take possession of the franchise away from the current owners? I looked back in the archives and found the press release that was posted on this site back on December 2 when the IHL took possession of the Gems...
"The International Hockey League Board of Governors has unanimously voted to terminate the Dayton Gems
I don't have any idea, JR. It seems to depend on what the owners are feelng like that day. My guess is that the league is running Flint. It's a horrible situation everywhere but on the ice.
So, do you think that leagues dont make thier bylaws public not because is none of our business; but more because they just kinda make this crap up as they go???
I just think it makes the IHL look 10x worse having all this stuff going on in Flint during the same season that the IHL siezed operations in Dayton for much the same reasons...
Probably some of both. It is a private business, but they do change things on the fly sometimes. Lots of egos.
It's pro sports and leagues do that kind of stuff all the time just like other businesses do. Look at the NHL right now running some teams. Doesn't make it right or fair, it's just business. I'm not sure how any Michigan team survives in any league with 14 percent unemployment. It's amazing to me the IHL got through three years without losing a team at midseason.
I also think it's going to get even worse before it gets better. Things are not going to be better next year just because there may be new owners or new leagues. There's only so much they can do in this economic situation. No way the majority of AHL teams are breaking even at 5,000 fans per game. Same with those ECHL playoff series. They have to be losing money playing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with those travel costs.
I don't think it will happen, but it wouldn't shock me if sometime in the future teams took a season off until everything stabilizes. Nothing would shock me any more, and just about anything is a possibility.
Kinda disappointed with the result last night. Losing a 3-1 lead in a game that was needed for 1) getting momentum for the playoffs, and 2) still trying to get the league championship leaves me wondering. Lately they have seemed to get the lead and then let the opponent back in. That isn't going to work in the playoffs.
It didn't take Hodgman long to get back in the thick of things. I was interested where Al Sims would place him as he skated with Chaulk and Syro. I still think his place is with Chewy and Hukalo. Speaking of Hukalo, is anyone surprised that he lost control of the puck in the shootout? He has done that a lot, and as much as I respect him, he would not be a part of the shootout.
Haun has to play one game this weekend. I think I would start him tonight against Quad City, and start Boucher tomorrow against Flint. Speaking of Flint, we need to give their players a lot of credit for scratching and clawing their way back into the playoff race. I know if I were an IHL team, I would not want to face Flint. They have a lot to play for, are motivated, and certainly have the talent to take any team to the wall. Tomorrow, if Flint still has a chance to make the playoffs, the Komets are going to face a buzzsaw.
I guess I should congratulate Quad city also. They were out of the playoff picture, down 3-1, and didn't quit. Their win last night, gave their fans a good memeory to take with them during the off season.
I agree with you JR on how this looks and what a shame it is but I sincerely doubt it's the first time any of this has happened in any given number of leagues & sports. I'm sure it also bothers the owners to a great degree, they just aren't posting their feelings on forums and blogs. Having said that it makes it no easier for us involved fans (or should that be evolved?:-)) to see this going on in a sport and to players and personnel we care so much about.
As far as the bylaws being public, I don't see where they have legal or moral obligations to do so although I could be wrong. It is a privately held business or organization of privately held businesses and as such it's their club to do with as they wish, especially in a non-union league. Not that I'm particularly fond of unions but in sports they do tend to hold owners to their obligations and commitments.
As I said in another post, I think the IHL was a great idea, just the wrong time economically. Maybe it will pave the way for some serious thinking about minor league hockey re-organizing, but I'm not holding my breath for major changes soon. I think things will have to get worse and then better before minor league hockey gets organized the way it should be.
Yeah Steve, I understand why leagues dont make thier bylaws public; but cant help but wonder if they actually exist sometimes when situations happen during a season like they have in Dayton and in Flint... Same situation; but entirely different ways they have been handled under the same set of bylaws....
This offseason is going to be nuts, that we can all agree on... Every day a new rumor pops up and I think thats because nobody has a clue whats going on...
To expand Blakes thought, maybe the IHL goes dark untill the landscape stabilizes... Some of the current teams find new temporary homes untill things start to make sense and everyone comes to the table to make a new regional minor league hockey map....???? All teams into the pot, and are divided regionally to make the most economic sense for owners and fans... That just makes too much darn sense to ever happen...lol
I hope this gives everyone a great laugh. Take the time to read it. I don't think you will be let down!!!
'Twas the night before playoffs, when all through the rink
Not a creature was stirring, not even Linc;
The sticks were all wrapped with great care,
In hopes that the Turner Cup soon would be there.
The fans were already positioned all snug in their places,
While visions of 3-peat showed on their faces;
And mamma in her jersey, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long evening's nap,
When out in the parking lot there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.
Away to the lot I flew across the floor,
Tore down the steps and threw open the door.
The moon on the breast of the many parked cars
Gave the luster of mid-day to our future NHL stars,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Schrocky, Mac, and Mitch, now don
I officially copyright that right now!!!
That's awesome! :)
I love it!!!
What a great poem breslyn--thanks for sharing. I'm putting it in my book for this year!
So how long did it take you to come up with that?? Good stuff!!!!
umm...it started with one night of not being able to sleep. After that, it took about an hour or so. not too long. I thought it was kind of funny and cute.
Great poem breslyn, thanks.
Yeah, JR, the rumors this off season are going to be something else.
I completely agree with your second paragraph, nothing to add.
Deja Vu?...
I could swear I've read all this before... Maybe I really CAN see the future!
Yep, this post still sucks as much as I remembered it did....LOL
Very good, I think it shall come to pass.Like to copy that so I could read it every day till the three peat is done.