Komets, St. Pierre parting ways

Blake...I know that this is early and stuff...but I noticed that Kevin had to in a way defend himself in this interview as if he was to blame for last season. If you read that interview...you will notice the Komet's did not say anything positive about Kevin and just made it seem like it was a business decision. I understand that it was....but still....this guy was loved in this town...was one hell of a player...and deserves a lot of respect. Just found the comments from him and the lack of comments from them to be a bit confusing. He will be missed. A great player...and a great human being. Good Luck Frenchy!!! This was not your fault. We all saw it coming.

Was all the rumors swirling about what prompted the Frankes to release this...or did Kevin decide to talk? Just Curious.

I don't really understand what would push a decision like this when the Frankes have no one else in mind. Michael Franke says that he wants to go in a different direction, but I'm still lost as to what direction he's looking to. How do you go in a different direction with a goalie? Either a goalie keeps out goals or he doesn't.....and statistically Frenchy has been one of the best goalies in the league in the three years he's played for Fort Wayne. So the idea 'going in a different direction' without someone else lined up for a goalie is a bit baffling to me. Just a few things don't seem to add up....

If they know they want to go in a different direction then there is no reason to string this out. It doesn't help them or Kevin.
I think Kevin did a wonderful job and I hope he does remain a part of the Fort Wayne community as the city can use good people like him and his wife. However from a hockey perspective, if this is going to be a house cleaning, then the move makes perfect sense. The hockey world now knows loud and clear that the Fort Wayne Komets are looking for a goaltender. They have all summer to find who they feel is the best out there. It is late and the name escapes me but who was the guy in Richmond this year? There are also a couple of good ECHL goalies that might be available.

Also..before you get too worried about what direction is being taken, have some faith. When was the last time the Komets had bad starting goaltending? Mike Torchia?

Did anyone not see this coming? Good luck Frenchy, I have enjoyed watching you play, and wish you the best.
Now....who's up?? Personally, I hope to see Scott Hay wearing Orange real soon.

I too want to thank Frenchy for a good three years.
For all those who are wondering why he's not back here's my thought. How many Colonial Cups has Frenchy brought us?
In a league with very short term careers just look at how long Frenchy has been here and look at the fact he wwas expected to back stop a cup winner.

Good Luck Frenchy....I hope you just decide to retire and remain in Fort Wayne. I'd hate to see you playing in another uniform next season..

I'll really miss Frenchy. He was an awesome goaltender. To blame all the problems on him this year would be extremely wrong. Our defense was horrific most of the year. I guess that I would have started there. I hope Frenchy does retire and stay in Ft Wayne. I also would hate to see him in another uniform. Good Luck Frenchy and you will be sorely missed in the Orange and Black.

This is a sad way to treat an outstanding player and community activist. If the team wants to go in a new dirrection the Coach needs to GO! If not , he will just keep coaching the same style that has gotten weaker with each passing season.
Good Luck, Kevin. We will miss you here in Fort Wayne!

Hit, I've been keeping touch with Kevin since the season ended. Maybe it's my fault for them not complimenting him more because I didn't ask that question. I know they appreciate what he has done for them.

Good Luck, Frenchy.

I agree with Becky. We are so sick and tired of Puhalski. We have lost so many great players because of him. Either they won't come back if he's still here, or he doesn't get along with them, so he doesn't want them back. Lord knows, what Chief says, Goes. Heaven help a player that might want to give some positive advise or criticism. They'll be gone before they know it.

Coach is staying, why don't people see that? I will agree though, I'd like to see another coach, but that isn't going to happen.

I wish Frenchy would stay, I really would. But we all know that isn't going to happen. Why can't they just flat out tell us that he is not coming back? And what I don't understand is that if he also looking into retiring here in Fort Wayne, why would he put his house up for sale? I don't want to see Frenchy in a different UHL uniform. Alot of other UHL team fans are already wanting Frenchy signed to their team. If he had to be in another uniform, I'd like to see him in a Bako one.

I don't understand the decision of the Frankes by going in a different direction. And didn't they say that they don't really have any other goalies in mind? I've heard rumored about talking in signing Lawson and Hay though. Is any of this true?

hockeylover they did indeed tell us he is not coming back. What else would you like them to say? I applaud them for making this decision quickly. That shows a great amount of respect for Kevin and his family because it allows him to be out there for other teams to contact very early on in the offseason.
All this bashing of coach, I asked in another thread I will ask again. Give me the name of an available coach who you think can do a better job. And don't tell me Scotty Bowman. Be realistic.

The coaching situation is not going to change. The Komets have made their choice as is their right. You may disagree with his style of play, but there's very little to disagree with the results he produces. The man has an amazing record.

Blake, he may have an amazing record, and the Frankes just love him to death, I guess, but that doesn't mean that we as fans have to like him. He's an arrogant jerk and the man thinks he's God. We have a right to our opinion too. Right now I would prefer Neumie to him.

I'm not saying you don't. I'm saying it's not going to change no matter how passionate people feel.

I understand what folks here think they want. The guy you want is not available. His name is Dale Hunter, coach and co owner of the London Knights. This was a rough, rugged NHL player (over 1000 points and 3500 penalty minutes) who has turned into one of the best coaches in the Ontario Hockey League.
The problem is, guys like this are going to look past the UHL in most cases. They can get more exposure working the OHL. In the case of Hunter, since he owns the team, I don't see him leaving to coach elsewhere. In 2004-05 his team went 79-9-2-0 and won the Memorial Cup.
Coach Puhalski probably did his BEST coaching job last year through all of the early season player movement and getting that team to turn it around. After the 5-11 start and the trades of Virag and Stewart the team could have quit on him but they didn't. The man has earned the opportunity to try to rebuild with a new lineup next year.

I think what everybody wants is a coach who can work with all their favorite players and win. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen very often in any sport at any level. Sometimes it comes down to do you want to win or keep all your favorite players? Change, attrition, age and chemistry adjustments are going to happen each year and finding a way to make all those things work means you realize how special it is when it does happen.

well said Blake.

remember folks, the frankes are the ones who got rid of steve fletcher, even after saying they would never do such a thing. as far as coach, what has he done for us lately? like the comment about frenchy, hasnt won us a champinship lately. and the coach is also the one who suposidly built this team also. so dont tell me he now has the opportunity to rebuild, he showed us this year that his talent evaluations werent very good. thanks frenchy and hold on chaulk, youre probably next. funny how we get rid of whats good for the team and keep whats mediocre at best. this had better be one hell of a team this year or youll find the season ticket holders bailing. forget 7000 per game.

chuckitt, you're right. I said that Frenchy hasn't backstopped the K's to a championship and it does work both ways. Puhalski has only had one Cup to his resume in the UHL. If Blake wants to say that Puhalski's numbers are good and that's why the Frankes are keeping him. THe same argument can apply to Frenchy and Chaulk.

Well said Chuckett!!! Frenchy hasn't won us a cup. Frenchy is 1 man, not an entire team. He pulled our butts out many times. It takes a whole team effort, of which we have not had. If you use this past season as a grade for Puhalski, maybe a c-

I don't advocate keeping a popular player on the team who is past his prime, but there is NO WAY anyone can say that Frenchy is one of those players.He has a good 3 years of top quality goaltending left in him IMO. We have overhauled every possition on this club except for the coaching in the last 5 years , so you do the math. What should we try next?

ILH- something turned around the Komets after the 5-11 start and I'd be hard pressed to believe it was anyone wearing a Komet jersey. I think everyone didn't want to be next on the trade/cut block and got it together. Puhalski must have had something to do with it.

Becky- it's funny because I can remember two years ago after the K's got pounded by Musegon the first time that people were hoping the K's could get a quality backup because they didn't think Frenchy would last. Now I bet those same people don't want him to leave.

Sorry Greg- gotta disagree. Pulhalski was't the thing that turned the bad start around. He was supposed to be the craftsman behind signing the team we saw choke at the beginning of the season. As for looking for a good back-up for Frenchy after the Muskegon debacle, once again I blame the coach. We attended all the road games in the playoffs that year and sat behind the bench and his lack of enthusiasm and silence to the players was almost more than I could bear to watch. One of the guys came off the ice and said, "What are we doing wrong" and coach never even looked his way to respond. Not a good coaching move IMO.

I have never looked to blame the problems on the goalies as I believe the defense and the forwards share all the responsibilities on the ice.

Becky, what people were saying that I remember was that after the concussion Frenchy suffered in the playoffs the first year he was here, people didn't know if health wise he would be able to play a whole season.

I remember those concerns being voiced but I think Frenchy silenced all that with his level of play thoughout the season. The playoffs have not been as kind.