Here are some of the things he had to say:
Guy Dupuis played the six-team West Coast Hockey League in 2002-03 and says he sees no reason why it can't work now.
It seems like everything is going to be better for the fans and that's why we're here,'' the all-star defenseman said. ``The six-team league I played was good for the fans because they got to know more of the other teams. They got to have a love-hate relationship with players on each team. If a team comes in and they don't know any players then it's less exciting for them. If they come in and start to get to know the nicknames of the guys, then it gets personal. That year the fans really got into it.''
Dupuis said he's waiting to talk more with Komets General Manager David Franke about a contract for next season and hopes to re-sign with the team.
``I would really hope so,'' Dupuis said. ``That's my plans and hopefully it will work out.''
Franke said on Monday he was waiting until returning from the league meetings in Las Vegas last week before trying to finalize negotiations with Dupuis and player/assistant coach Bruce Richardson. He hoped to get both players settled before the end of the week.
Some fans have wondered whether players will have reservations about playing only five teams during the season. He said many players were waiting to see what happened at the league meetings before making a decision, but Dupuis said he's fine with the smaller roster of opponents.
``That would only be a plus I think,'' he said. ``The more you know them the better you'll be able to counter them. I think there will be some really good rivalries. There are some teams like Muskegon and Kalamazoo we wanted to play more last year because whenever we played them it was a great game. I think these rivalries will promote games like that because I think there will be six really competitive teams.''
Dupuis said he believes the overall talent level of the league will go up, especially if the players selected in today's dispersal draft can be added back into the league.
Also, Dupuis said he's OK with the IHL dropping the instigation penalties until the final five minutes of the game. The owners said they are trying to encourage more physical play, which means more fighting.
``That will take care of itself,'' Dupuis said. ``I think the majority of the fans want to see more fights. I think guys will have some respect for each other and I doubt they abuse it. If they do, they'll have to answer to somebody else. It's never just a done deal if they do take advantage to somebody.''
Comments
If Guy seems happy with it and the Frankes can get him signed, he could be a great advocate for what this league could become.
i thought the draft was tomorrow?
It is.
It is, I wrote the story as if it was coming out tomorrow in the paper which it will be.
you're so smart Blake....
Sign Guy and Bruce... Bootland and Willis stayed in Kzoo. Get Muskegon to sign a couple of respected vets. I think this will improve the comfort level that the fans have with the smaller league.
You know something Blake, didn't the 6 team WCHL eventually get eaten up by the ECHL???? Just a thought.
Not smart, just too d--- busy. WCHL was absorbed by ECHL the next year.
Please bring back "Captain" Guy!!!
So with all this change, will there be a new uniform design too? Maybe a Kaptain Komet sweater without the goofy stripping.....and one without flames....
Seeing as how we are going back to the IHL, maybe the Komets should bring out the 90's fireball logo.
You mean you guys do not want the old state of Indiana logo???
Oh, if were talking that why not the Kolala Bear as well.
Oh No, David Welker thoughts....I feel a migrane coming on :-(
The Kola Bear is the year I started going, when I was 6-7!! It's what really got me involved in the K's. Very cute and nice.
Kolala, sorry
If we bring back Dan D. Bear (that was the koala bear's official name, even though a girl wore the costume), does this mean we have to uncork the non-alcoholic champagne and "Goalden Bears," the peanut butter-flavored marshmallows Mr. Welker promoted? If so, I may have to reach for the vomit bag.
While we're at it, let's bring back the K-Mutt and the cheerleaders too. (JUST KIDDING). Weren't those Bob Britt creations?
Now those bring back memories....Oh No, another migrane coming on :-(
bring back the cheerleaders and how about the ft wayne stockade jerseys?
Just following up on a comment on the other blog by someone mentioning liking fans in other arenas but not liking the fans she sits around in the MC.....that is so funny. Coming from someone whose offspring cursed me out in the aisle way heading into the hallway during an intermission because she has a crush on certain players....and did so in front of my small child. Nice.
http://my.funtrivia.com/tournament/Charlies-Trivia-52451.html
Still going.
I must have missed that comment.
I remember the really lame looking bear, but I don't remember the non-alcoholic champange or the "Goalden Bears" candy. I bet those were not top selling items at the concession stands!
It was bad enough that the nachos they sold back then used a really cheap, watered down cheese sauce! (YUCK!)
The guy that writes for the Peoria Paper put this on the Wikipedia site. Can he get away with this Blake? Calling it a Class A league shows his intelligence. He is a first class jerk.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Hockey_League
Has anything good ever come out of Peoria besides low quality sandpaper?
Tony, do you know much about the WikiPedia site? Can this guy go on there and make such statements about the new IHL as if he is representing them? If you look on that site under the History tab, there is a PEORIA4440 that made several contributions to that article and only that Jerk calls the IHL/UHL "Class A".
Statements made on Wiki are supposes to be backed up by fact that can be referenced. People site books, newspaper articles etc. So in this case he could use his own story as a reference. Of course you are free to go to the article and delete his work.
Someone did......look over at Cohns site to see what I found...sorry Blakes. Look over there quickly and then return here.....or do what you like. Cohn is actually over there commenting. LOL
Hit maybe you will like it better now ;-)
I think they ought to put a map of Florida in the background for cripe sake.
That is funny...
Someone just changed it to "AA" hockey ....
That is a very active site tonight....lol