Just got off the phone with defenseman Mike Dombkiewicz who said he was dropping his contact off at the Fed-Ex as we were speaking. He said he's taking a bit of a contract cut because of the salary cap, but he's completely happy to be returning to Fort Wayne.
``I had more money at other places, but I want to win a championship and Fort Wayne is the place to be,'' he said. ``Hopefully I've found a home. I love playing in Fort Wayne.''
Dombkiewicz said he'll be skating with the Buffalo Sabres in preseason workouts starting next week, and then he might have an opportunity to go to an unidentified American Hockey League training camp before reporting to Fort Wayne. He almost signed a two-way contract to play in the Central Hockey League but wanted to return to Fort Wayne.
``With the new salary cap, a lot of guys are going to take a hit with it,'' he said. "It's a real eye-opener, but we want to win a championship. Sometimes you have to make some sacrifices and most of us who are going to be there are going to, but we want to win a title. Below the AHL, in my opinion Fort Wayne is the best place to play in any league. It's a great hockey town, you get to play in front of 7,000 fans every night and you we well taken care of around town.''
That's also the message he's using to try to help recruit some new rookies. Though he declined to name them, Dombkiewicz predicted the two players would make the all-rookie team if they signed in Fort Wayne. All he would say is that they are former teammates of his from the University of New Brunswick.
"Everybody wants them,'' he said. "They are two pretty good friends of mine. They were both captains on their team and they were captains on their school team. Hopefully our friendship is what helps bring them to Fort Wayne. I'll just keep talking to them, and I'm going to do anything I can to bring as many good players to Fort Wayne as I can.''
As for taking less money?
``I would have liked to make more money in Fort Wayne like was going to get other places, but you have to give and take somewhat and I know David (Franke) is in a tough position. That's what it's all about when it comes to being a good person and a good leader for a club, and I'm willing to do that to win a championship.''
Comments
People getting all excited about Duhart (me included) and he's not even signed yet.
What are we supposed to do retire #91?
I've heard that's excatly what some people want to do.
Lol... You have to be kidding me? No disrespect to Colin, but really.... Thats just silly.
I would agree that now is not the time because of the fact that he's still an active player. Afterwards, well I'd have to look at the other player that the Komets have retired and see how Chaulk rates compared to them.
Colin is a great Komet, but there's no way he has the longevity to have his number retired. Let's gain some perspective here folks. I'm not sure the Komets will ever retire another number.
Everybody except for Fletch played/coached at least 10 years and he played nine.
That would have been one of the factors that I would have looked at is how long was Chaulk a Komet compared to the others already retired.
chaulk was a good player for us and might even return some day, but hes no way close to being a player with a retired number. he was special but not quite special enuff!
I'm not saying retire his number. Just that I can't bear the thought of Duhart (or anyone for that matter!) wearing #91 just yet. I'm hoping that Colin will return to the Komets someday, hopefully next year after his season in Italy.
he'll retire after this season in italy
Hello from Regina...
The folks who have already had their numbers retired have set a VERY VERY high standard. I don't believe due to the way minor league hockey is landscaped that there will ever be another retired number in Komets history unless they are willing to lower the standards. I think had Chaulk showed something and stayed here and played maybe another 2 years or so, he MIGHT have met the standard.
Tony, I hope you two are having fun....I agree with 100 percent! The retired numbers hanging in Memorial Coliseum are likely to be the last ones to be retired. I think it would do an injustice to those players who have already been given that honor unless the Frankes change/lower the standards and I don't see them doing that.
Having a great time Bob thanks :-)
Tommorow night I get to cross off one on the list of the "sporting events I must attend before I die"