If you could have one player come back to the Komets who did not play here over the past two years, whom would it be? I'm not suggesting in any way this player should be at the expense of a current player, either. Could be anyone who is still active from the UHL or the IHL days, though there are a lot few of those. My choice would be Andre Roy. He'd be a star at this level and would have impact every time he skated onto the ice. How about Marc Magliarditi? Anybody see the numbers he put up in the ECHL this year? It's also too easy to just say Sean Venedam, so try to stretch a little. We'd all probably like to see Vene, so that's a given, OK?
On the other hand, and here you go Frank Littlejohn fans, who is one player you'd like to have play here from other teams in the UHL? I'd take Greg Labenski, but I've always been partial to defensemen.
How about from other Class AA leagues? Peter Metcalfe of Alaska, ECHL. Defenseman, 52 points in 69 games, plus 44 with 234 PIMs.
Comments
I would love to see Steve Parsons back in town. He was entertaining. Player from another UHL team: but I don't think he plays anymore, Mark Major.
I.L.H. Please tell me when this incident with Duhart took place. Was it this past season? I was not aware of this taking place. I have only spoken to Duhart perhaps two or three times, but he has always been civil towards me and the wife.
What about Bob Fitchner?
I didn't see it, but I've heard the stories of him challenging the Flint Generals bench in the 1972-73 Turner Cup playoffs, then beating the ---- out of the poor guy who jumped onto the ice.
Also, in their prime, John Hilworth and Steve Fletcher.
They played on the same team in 1982-83 and NO ONE messed with ol' Jasper or Fletch.
For a goalie, what about Don Cutts or Brian Holderness? Both goalies were known for using their sticks - Holderness slashed a referee one year in the playoffs after a disputed goal against Toledo and got tossed out - I had never seen that before.
My buddy Neal will appreciate this -
Why not, for a "real grudge-match type game," bring out Ogie Oglethorpe, Clarence "Screaming Buffalo" Swamptown, Randall Poodleluceau (I'm guessing on that), Tim "Dr. Hook" McCracken, and the rest of the Syracuse Bulldogs in for a one-time game.
For those of you who don't know, those were a few of the character names in the Slap Shot movie - as I was typing this, I couldn't remember the name of Con Madigan's character, only that he never went anywhere without his attorney, "Small Print" Lymon. I need to watch the movie again to get it right.
Anyway, just a thought.
Jeff
Con Madigan's character was named Ross " Mad Dog" Madison. Let's not forget another former IHLer Blake Ball as Gilmore Tuddle. The sad thing is though, at ages 72 and 68 ,they would still be tougher than anything wearing a Komet jersey.
Neal, I don't doubt that Cal is tough, and one of the nicest men I've met, but were the fans getting on these guys all the time for not dropping the gloves enough back then? Cal only had over 200 PIMs in a season once and he always led the team by a wide margin. Con Madigan had the team record for several decades with 272 in one season, and then he never had another season with over 200 PIM again. The big year Fitchner was with the Komets, he had 157 PIMs.
So A) How tough were these guys? B) How often did they fight; C) Were they pretty much the only guys on the team who fought? D) Was the game just that much different then and how?
Not trying to be a smarta-- but this is something that has always been curious to me because these players are among those always talked about how vicious and tough they were. I don't doubt them personally, but the numbers don't add up from that era for any of the tough guys on any team. I'm just wondering.
Bob I was wondering the same thing. I would also ask, IF the story is true, what were the fans yelling at him. Granted that doesn't make it right if the story is true but he is human and if folks were shouting vulgarities at him, like many other people, he probably responded in kind.
That is the problem with the "reputations" players have. One person starts a rumor and quickly that becomes how a player is labeled. Everyone knows Jim Duhart is an on ice antagonist both with his mouth and his stick at times. He has even been seen to visibly react towards fans while on the ice. I do believe though, like many players, once the game is over a different personality emerges. Look at Steve Fletcher. If all you looked at was his on ice demeanor, you would think the guy threw old ladies onto Coldwater Road during rush hour. However once the game was over, I can't think of a nicer player that I have ever talked to postgame.
being tough has nothing to do with how many penalty minutes those players got. those guys were willing to give themselves up to protect teammates and they threw the most visious checks you could ever see or hear. their low penalty minutes were due to the fact that no one would mess with them. just their presence on the ice made the other teams back down and play less tough. they made their reputations and they backed them up. you didnt touch a star or run a goalie unless you were ready to face purinton or fletcher or any of our tough guys.
Chuckitt.....you must mean like Ryan Jorde, huh? His presence sure was something, right? LOL
Tony, Guys like Duhart and Fletcher are always either being bashed or praised. In my nearly 20 years of going to games, I have yet to hear anything other than one extreme or the other. But you are right about Fletcher....one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. The last time I got to talk to him was at a party at my brother in law's house a few years ago. By the way, isn't technology wonderful? How everyone can "add fuel to the fire" at the speed of light? LOL! I think this will make some folks very happy: KZOO 3, Piggies 1 KZOO wins series 4-0
That's kind of my question Chuckitt. Was the game called that differently, because I can't imagine them being that physical in today's game and only earning 200 PIMs in one season. It just wouldn't happen. So what was different?
If you look at the PIMs of other tough guys of that era, the numbers were about the same. Again, I'm not disputing their toughness, just wondering how physical the game really was then, and what happened to change it. Maybe they didn't drop the gloves at every perceived slight. I don't know, that's why I'm asking. It has just always fascinated me hearing how rough and tough these guys were but the PIMs are so low compared to today's game. How can that be?
Blake go to bed!!! Oh wait. I should be in bed at 2 in the morning with a long drive tommorow ahead of me lol. Sleep....double overtime....I guess I know what is more important!!!
anyone else up at 2:25 with me watching this soon to be triple OT game?
Horcoff scores!! Good guys win! Goodnight now!
Way to go Wings! They fried a little bacon last night!
Greg, it was this last season. A couple friends of ours went down to their locker room after the game because they wanted to get a picture of him just because he was the one that the fans always hated. I don't remember the date of the game. They were not nasty towards him. They were wearing K's shirts and asked him when he came out if they could please get a picture. That's when he did his stuff. I have never been a Duhart liker, but that just turned my stomach. If they would have been hasseling him or jeering, I could have at least understood a little attitude. What he did was uncalled for. These people were a mother father, and small daughter of 6 yrs old. Didn't make a good impression, believe me. How do you explain that to a 6 yr old?
WOW, well there is at least one bad story on Duhart. That is the first time I've heard that. I can't dispute that it happened, it just seems to be not the norm for Duhart. Not that I condone what he did and not to say you don't have a right not to like the guy for it, but I would chalk it up to a bad evening.
Hey Blake, any truth to the rumor flying around that Frenchy has been traded or let go? What's the scoop?
It's hard to pick just ONE Komet from the past...Ian Boyce...a healthy Robin Bawa...Kevin Weekes...Tommy Lawson...Fletch (of course)...Andre Roy...Bobby Stewart...would all be good choices. But I'm going to have to go with Kelly Perrault. Helluva blueliner, killer slapshot.
As for a player from another UHL team...Hugo Belanger? I don't know if he plays anymore, but Charlie Blythe would be another pick.
Teresea-Check out Justin's blog. Some good info there. Not that you don't good info either Blake. Lot of wild specualtion going on about Chaulk and Frenchy.
Sorry Blake. That should read "...not that you don't have good info either."
Sometimes my fingers work faster than my brain.
What about Chaulk? I haven't heard that. Please tell me it ain't so!
Look what happens when I try to take more than one day off in a row. Sigh. How dare I?
I talked to Frenchy last night and he said he has a no-trade, no-release, his option only contract. Haven't had a chance to talk to Chaulker yet.
The Frankes would be flat out stupid people to even consider letting Chaulk...
Former Komets: How about Brad Twordik, Ryan Coole, or Kelly Perrault?
As for other teams, I would like Hugo Belanger, Willy (how could you NOT like his style), Big Snake (take a hard look at his numbers. If you could prevent the stupid misconducts he could be a GREAT player), or DANNY STEWART!!!!!
the Frankes would be flat out stupid people for even considering letting chaulker go.....oops forgot to finish my train of thought lol
I don't think that players who received misconducts had 10 minutes added to their PIM totals.
Plus, misconducts were rare in the old days. Now, every game it seems someone gets 10 just because the ref doesn't want to deal with them.
I pay to see guys on the ice, not ejected.
Andy Bezeau was fun to watch. However he's 36 now. I'm just dreaming but Andre Roy and Eric Boguniecki from the Penguins or Kevin Weeks from the Rangers would be awesome. I think there's a reason why they play in the NHL.
The incident with Duhart did really happen and the family was not saying anything derogatory to him. Actually, they were being very nice. I don't condone that and will have a negative image of him.Even if he was having a bad night, there is no call for that.