The last time Mitch Woods played hockey, a week and a half ago, he was the goaltender. When Woods decided to quit the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL last season, he bought some used goaltending equipment because he figured he'd be bored playing pick-up hockey back home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
``I don't know why Bouch complains about it so much," Woods said. ``You just stand there and let the puck hit you. You also really understand how out of shape you are because you are dripping wet by the time warm-ups are done.''
Woods has about six weeks to get into shape after the Komets announced Tuesday they had signed the right wing. He'll report to Fort Wayne on Jan. 11 and hopes to be ready to play by the end of January.
``I'm sure Simsy will have me puking mug guts out every day there for a while. I know I'm in better shape now than I was three weeks ago, but I'm still quite a ways away from being in gameshape. I don't think my leg shape is where it should be, either. It will be a rough couple of weeks once I get there.''
Woods, 23, signed with the Komets over the summer but then was unable to report because his job in Prince Albert would not hold the youth care work position for him. Now the company he works for has agreed to give Woods a leave-of-absence.
Woods said he's been talking continually with friend Matt Syroczynski and has been checking in with Komets General Manager David Franke.
``I was thinking about it the whole time. You always second-guess your decision. It wasn't a very popular decision with my family, and now owning a house makes it more difficult, but it's so
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I'm glad he will have his day job to go back to.
Mitch and Mac on the ice at the same time could be very exciting to see. Welcome back Mitch......
WOW-WEE I'M SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!
Mrs. Mightbite here ...
Welcome back Woods ... always liked you!
Franke ... what are you thinking?!? We're hockey fans, we know what good, hockey is. Don't you get it?! The other teams can't out skate us, so they're going to out muscle us! Just like Gretkzy, our scorers need protection. And our D guys have to check! It wears the other guy down.
Oh, why even bother ... you all think 'muscle' is a chihuahua against a pit bull.
I'm glad we're talking about this Mitch as opposed to another one in the state that I have lots of other names for...
GREAT!!!! So glad that Mitch is coming back! He will raise the hustle level for sure. Hope his family understands what he wants. I liked his comment about being dripping wet when warmups were done....I was always that way when i played goal. In fact I liked it when the other players would give me a snow job in the face....always felt good to get cold ice shavings on the mug when hot!! WELCOME BACK MITCH!!!!!!
Which issue does this resolve exactly???
I don't think it solves any specific problem, but it adds depth in several areas: toughness, willingness to go to the net, protect teammates, he's great in the locker room, playoff experience, plus he's not bad offensively. He's also never been shy to say exactly what he thinks. He was already talking today with some of the Komets and giving it to them. The real question is how long and if he can get back into peak conditioning. He's got a long way to go there, but he's also playing six games in three days coming up in a tournament. We'll see. The positive thing about that is he's only 23, not 33.
I also am 100 percent sure this isn't the last move the Komets will make. I think they'll still try to bring in at least two more players, a stud defenseman who can add the physical role, and another scorer up front. This is a good first move, but it's only a first move.
Again, the Frankes hate to send people home before Christmas, but they almost always make big moves in January.
It makes women who dig red-headed mini enforcers VERY happy..
Scorekeepers like players with short names. Yes we do! :)
And JM, THAT is a huge thing to consider.
I wonder if David Franke has a secret committe of female fans that have the power to veto any potential signing based on how the player looks with and without his helmet.... oh, forget it... if that were the case that dreamy Ryan Severson would still be on the roster.
No, he does not, JM, but more importantly, I definitely do.
I must have missed something, but I am happy happy happy!!! I for one love Mitch.
And I meant "I love Mitch" as a player. I just read the last few days' worth of stuff. I must really have missed something....where the heck was the Franke committee that signs players on looks brought up and why? I've always said I wanted to see Mitch back in a Komets jersey....I happen to think he's a good player and he'll make a difference on this team. This was a great Christmas gift for me. Made my week so far, and it's been a bad one since Monday. I needed good news and this worked!
I like the signing alot. Mitch will hopefully replace a player thst isn't producing, isn't hustling, and isn't adding much to the team. We all know he plays balls to the walls every shift, he will hit, skate hard, agitate the other team, chip in goals, and entertain.
I think Blake is onto something here. There are more moves coming. I find it funny though that just yesterday Franke rolled his eyes at us all for wanting toughness. Now we sign Woods, and we are looking at another Big Defensemen and an up front forward.
Can anyone say Matt Reynolds??? I can't put my finger on the Big Stud Defenseman though. Any names floating around out there?
Boy, am I glad Tim said "snow job".
And what's wrong with women who dig red-headed mini-enforcers? :P
Other than the fact that Mitch is spoken for, and most redheads I've known would make great enforcers, absolutely nothing FMM. :)
Good one Alan!!
Good response, Blake! LOL....
Never underestimate the fury of a short, red-haired, left-handed female fan who digs short, red-haired, left-handed hockey players. LOL.
But yeah, yeah, I know all about the spoken for part. I had my suspicions ever since he made that comment about "I've never been away from my best friend this long" when he was playing here before. Guys just don't say that sort of thing about other dudes. Unless they're 8.