To the Komets fans.
I would like to thank the Fort Wayne Komets fans for the support you guys gave me and the team this year. Even in the tough times, you guys where always there for me. I really enjoyed talking to some of you guys after games and I really appreciate the fans that came to me when I was injured to give me some support. Last year was a special year that I will always remember. One thing that I can say, is that I gave everything, everything I had every day for the Fort Wayne Komets, on and off the ice. Also, I would like to give credit to the Franke family for running a first class organization. It was an honor to wear the Komets jersey. Hockey is small world and you never know one day I might be back in the Komets organization. Blake, keep running a good blog it's always fun to go see what the fans think. Again, Thanks and good luck Komets!
Bruce Richardson # 22
Comments
A total class act! Fort Wayne and the Komets organization was very lucky to have Bruce Richardson and hopefully we will see him down the road back in a Komets uniform as we will miss his passion, fire and intensity this year!
Good luck Bruce!
You the man Bruce!! Good luck and we hope to see you back!!
Man, that other thread got ugly quick.
Sorry goalie girl, I was relating something back to a "Mr. Show" episode about the last Indian, I guess no one saw it. Did not mean to offend!!
I'm Catholic, and we drink. It's what we do.
Very classy guy...
The thing i remember about Bruce was during the final game in Kalamazoo before the game during warmups..my son Blake and I were at that end watching the Komets warmup and Bruce tapped the glass at Blake and wanted a five thru the glass..Blake didn't know what to do, so i showed him and he did it and Bruce had a huge smile on his face as did Blake...what a class act...
Good luck Bruce in Witchita..
This is just a side not to the above letter from Bruce. I know the debate on here is hot and heavy at times about hockey in general and the Frankes. The bottom line is this is a business and a cruel business at times. That is sports in general. Players want money to support their family and the owners want to make money to support their families. The Frankes must be a pretty smart bunch since they have a long standing in minor league hockey. I have admired this organization for a number of years dating back to Colin Lister and now the Frankes and how they are able to get talented players and class act players. I have also been impress with how some of the K's also give back to this community in many ways. Now this is not a "plug", but this week my son is in Guy's hockey camp out out McMillian Park. There are 70+ youngester out there from 12 to 5:15 PM. I have sat in the stands during this camp and watch Guy, Huckalo, Ron Leef, Parris Duffus (sp) and other area players instruct and inter act with these kids. These guys are on the ice with these kids for 5 hours and sure they are making a little money but more important they are "giving" back to the community they live in. I am happy that the K's have Guy signed for next year because this guy is a class act he represents the K's in a first class manner as does Huckalo and the former K's. I know winning is important and that is why you play the game, but when you have these individuals involved it makes "me" and I am sure the parents around the camp want to come support the K's in whatever league they play in even if it is just 5 teams or 20. I am sure these guys have other things they could be doing this week but they are giving there time.
The recruitment of players is not an exact science and the ones you feel you are going to get sometimes slip away for what ever reason. The Frankes and Coach Sims will attract a good group of players for this season why because of what Bruce talked about in the above statement. I am sorry for the ramble here but wanted to express my appreciation for Guy, Huckalo, and the rest of those involved in his camp. Also, the K's organization for always putting a product on the ice that is competitive and a roster of players that and great representatives of the K's organization off the ice.
Bruce
You are a class act. We are going to miss you but sure glad that we had you last year.
You have so much love for hockey, fans, and especially kids. The Witchita team is very lucky to get you and the fans are going to love you.
Keep up the fire there as you did here in Fort Wayne. I went to the party at the end of the season and I have never seen such closeness as I did that night with the whole team. Everyone showed up which that hasn't been done before. I remember you showing your little jersey to the crowd and that was funny. Just everything was funny and the guys were great to the fans. I just wished that more people could've enjoyed that night like us fans that went did. To bad that they couldn't have had it on a weekend.
If you play Kevin St. Pierres team just remember not to be to tough on him :).
Again good luck to you and your family. Some day we may see you back here at Fort Wayne.
Thanks for the memories, Bruce! I wish you well in Wichita. Say hi to Frenchy for us.
We'll miss you tremendously Bruce. What a classy guy and a great father figure also. We had several experiences with you this year and they were all great. Keep up with your fierce desire and love for the sport. We'll always support you wherever you may go.
It would not surprise me if Bruce is interviewed for a coaching position in Fort Wayne a few years down the road.. Good luck in Wichita. Nice town with good people fairly similar to Fort Wayne. You will enjoy it there.
Bruce, Thanks for the memories and your spirit . Hopefully you will find your way back to our Komets someday. I wish all our players in the future can find that kind of winning attitude and spirit. Good Luck to you and your family. Take it easy on the hip. Good Luck. Go K's. Junior I'm good Bud. Just didn't know where you were coming from
I forgot ..Bruce when you see Frenchy and you will Give him a big hug for me. I'm going to miss that guy and I will always wear my St. Pierre jersey. I will miss all the guys from last year. It was just a pleasure for me to watch all of you.
Boy I bet Blakes is hoping that the "Frankies" will hurry up and start signing some players besides those that are the givens like Dupuis and the ones staying in FW this summer. The blog is turning into ITB (minus a few soccer moms) with everyone squaring off. It sounds as if the Joke and Tony Euro need to step outside and settle their score. As for you Joke, keep posting! There are no dull moments with your posts.
Ricko I Joke does continue to post. That way the children who like to call other people names will have someone on their own level to talk to.
oops should read "HOPE Joke does continue to post"
By the way Ricko it has been awhile since you last graced us with your presence. It must have taken you that long to come up with that highly clever moniker for me. I am proud of you!
Hey Blake,
Can we start up the whole bash each other thing again? It was starting to get good. I felt like I was at a Komet Game watching players and fans go at it. You are such a party pooper. ;-)
Only if Blake wants to get ripped by his bosses again.
Sigh, and I fell for it. Ricko I am sorry. I admit you are superior to me in every way. Please take pity on me and ignore me from now on. It really hurts my feelings when anon bloggers call me names and I am ashamed at how I responded to you. So I am sorry, you are right and I am wrong about hockey. Please do not speak to or of me anymore. I will gladly do the same.
Bruce,
Good Luck with your new team. It was loads of fun watching you play and pester the opposing players.....I could tell that you were enjoying every second of it as we were!
You're always welcome here in Fort Wayne!
Take Care.
The smugness of this blog never wears thin.
ive been away for a week withouta computer and ive returned to read all this crap, i thought the days of calling people names was over? we ddont need you on here joke. back up your rants with facts. im just glad hockey is here and the frankees can make as much moneyh as they want as long as they put a great procuct on the ice. to offer my opinion on a few inacuracies that were offered as the gospel....1. guy didnt stay here just because his wife is from here and they have a house ect.. well, when he left here the first time, all those same things were true then too and it didnt stop him from leaving...2. people dont want to watch a league where the players then cant be seen in the nhl.. well back in the old i days with guys going up and comming down, we averaged around 4ooo fans a game, now it is around 7000 a game so that statement is way off.3. we charged the same for ticket in the aaa as now in the aa. that is true, but the facts are we were really under charged in the old days so when we went to the uhl the ticket prices fell into line. again have fun bloging but stop attacking people. give your facts and then back them up. the only lie i know of is the promise to keep fletch in ft wayne and the same old drivel each year about wanting a tougher team. other than that im glad to be a season ticket holder. if we move to the ahl i think i probably couldnt afford the shift! go komets sign some players!!
Yeah, what he said!
Any one heard of any more possible signings yet. I haven't heard if they extended the "Kid" McWhinney an offer or not?? It is still early yet . We didn't have much going on last year at this time either as I recall. Go K's
Speechless.........Tony Euro.........Outstanding!
Thanks to Bruce for his hustle and hard play. Good Luck.
Let the Komets sign a new crop of players with grit, talent, toughness, and no rabbit ears. Go Komets!
Please sign some players before everyone is playing in the RGHL....errrr....CHL!
Hit I thought it was pretty good too. Just surprised it took the blogger weeks to come up with it.
This makes me mad to see that BRUCE is leaving the komet hockey team. Thanks for leaving us. We just need to sing BETTER players and then we can forget about the ones that left.
i dont get why he told us it was because of money and not the league and then he tells them it was because of the league. i like bruce alot but i dodnt get that.
"We just need to sing BETTER players and then we can forget about the ones that left.".........Komet Warrior
I Agree Warrior. Sing your little hearts out.
Simply Brilliant!
Sing us a song I'm the warrior man.... sing us a song tonight... were out in the mood for a goonery.. and you've got us bleeding alright....