The Komets announced Wednesday that the preseason roster has reached 21 players with the addition of four defensemen and one forward. Defenseman Dustin Molle has re-signed and will be joined in training camp with his brother Byrant. Also agreeing to terms are defensemen Tristin Llewellyn and Dave Starenky and winger Stephon Thorne.
Dustin Molle, 25, joined the Komets in January last season and scored a goal and five assists while accumulating 42 penalty minutes in 39 games. In addition to being named the Komets' Rookie of the Year, the Ancorage, Alaska native was awarded the Bud Gallmeier Memorial Trophy for Community Service.
Bryant Molle will join his brother Dustin at the Komet blue line when training camp begins Oct. 10. Bryant Molle, 24, completed four years of play in the CCHA at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks last season and also appeared in two games with Alaska in the ECHL.
Llewellyn, 22, made his pro debut skating 33 games and scoring five assists, six points and 29 penalty minutes with Elmira in the ECHL last year after a four-year stint with the University of Michigan Wolverines in the CCHA. The defenseman also appeared in four playoff games with Elmira.
Starenky, 25, made his pro debut in the CHL in 2006-07 registering 57 penalty minutes in 16 games. Last year the Calgary, Alberta defenseman ranked fifth in the LNAH with 210 penalty minutes with St. Georges.
Thorne, 21, will be making his rookie debut after completing three years at Brampton in the OHL. The left winger posted 11 goals and 22 points in 61 regular season games as captain of the Brampton Battalion during 2010-11.
The Komets' preseason roster of 21 includes 12 forwards, eight defensemen and one goaltender.
Comments
One other thing...
Hopefully they get some more scoring from their D. I think that is why they are signing so many.
Last year Frankie had 11, and Guy 10. Other than that WARNER and his 5 goals (some of them maybe came as a forward?) was it.
They need someone who can blast it from the point or pinch in and score. A couple of these new guys may be able to fill that role.
So give me 6+ 20-25 scorers, 3 D men that score 10+ and 3 others that chip in 5 or so. You may not have the one dominant scorer but if you have balance I think it can be just as effective and also the team doesn't end up relying on one or two guys to bail them out.
I too, would love to see more scoring from the defense. Now that i think about it. I would like to see more scoring period. Having played some defense myself (for longer than I care to remember) I would like to see strong skaters that can head man the puck up the ice. You know, a defenseman that creates the breakout opportunity for the forwards rather than the dump up the boards hoping the forward can play it or beat his man to the puck. Even at the beer league level that I play often the best teams are those with strong skating and stickhandling defenseman that create opportunity for the forwards. It appears that we are not only signing some scorers on D, but are signing strong skaters with the ability to stick handle (When necessary) and the talent to read the opposing players positons quickly. Good defenseman can help the up front scoring if they have the ability to move the puck.
Yeah, I really liked Venedam and Perrault too. Good choices, Snuf! I was living in South Florida when the others played so I can't speak for them, but I've always heard good things. In fact, Bogey was a Panther for a while, or at least drafted by them, if I remember correctly.
I love listening to the banter that goes on back and forth here. Its all great stuff. All good points and opinions by everyone.
I went ahead and reviewed last September's comments cause I wanted to kinks what everyone will be saying next month:
mightbite Says: September 29th, 2010 at 3:39 am
I tell you Woods was coming back, I tell you Henley was coming back, I tell you Legault was coming back. You all say NO & SEE WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!! I will tell you NOW & allwillnotlisten I TELL NO MORE & you find out WHEN it happeneds
Now this year I tell you Cescon-Milam-DeAngelis etc. will come back.You all say NO & see what happened!!!!! I will tell you now & all will not listen. I TELL NO MORE =untill later :)
Hmm, who would be upset if the fans all decided they were tired of seeing and hearing about the same "old" sponsors and wanted only new, fresh advertisers?
JB I would say that if that was the case those fans should stop buying the products. Perhaps even organize a boycott of advertisers they do not like or want to see.
I am not too concerned though. My business numbers don't lie and Komet fans have always been good to me.
Mightbite...glad you were right on Milam. He was a guy I wished they had held on to a few years ago....now do a Jedi mind trick on the AHL and get Jimmy over here.
Snuff, your final two posts dated August 11th were terrific. I thought you explained your reasons very well.
Good to read your comments, Jack. I agree with you, too. The defense can certainly help set the forwards up by making good decisions and, if needed, crisp passes. The abilty to have the talent and confidence to get the puck out of their zone by themselves can, at the very least, take the pressure off the defense and, at thet very most, lead the team to a "rush" down the ice for a scoring chance. I like the way this tean is coming together on defense.
Burgee, since you're reflecting on comments made in September 2010, let's review another person.
Burgee says September 27th 2010: ...."A few more days until the nellies come out and tell us how bad we are. I'm calling it early, Komets finish no lower than runner-up."
Burgee was correct...
They were the runner up! ....to the runner up to the runner up. He did not specify which position they were running up from behind....
OK, a very serious thought that I'd like to share and toss out to you all.
As you know, it has nearly been a month since the untimely and tragic death of our friend, Tim Hoke.
Tim 's contribution to Komet hockey is well known to everyone. He took an idea, a very novel and unique idea, ran with it and turned it into a very special part of Komet coverage. He dedicated twenty years to these broadcasts giving us all the opportunity to watch komet hockey.
I would propose that the Fort Wayne Komet Hockey Club honor Tim with his induction to the Komet Hall of Fame in the media section.
I think Tim would be very happy and probably humbled to be remembered in such a manner.
On the day his death was made public I thought of this idea. I have waited until now to post these thoughts because I wanted to make sure it wasn't just a case of emotion or sentiment but a logical, fitting, and deserving idea.
It is logical, and fitting, and very deserving.
What do you all think?
could'nt agree more alan.... would be well deserved and a total class act by the komet organization to recognize tims contributions to the club over the years
Already being taken care of.
Alan, I'm betting it's all ready in the plans, but if you want your suggestion to reach those who can do something about it pick up the phone and call the Komet office or drop them an email.
Blake, let us know if there is anything we can do to help in that area (for Tim)!
Komets always do what is right, I'm sure they will do what is right as far as Tim.
Snuff is correct.
Book it, we will finish no less than runner up this year again
All I can say is when the schedule comes out, there will be a player annoucement that most have been looking for. If not that day soon after :)
I knew they had talks with Bonneau, he is still hoping for an AHL deal,but if that does not happen=he is here :)
Evansville has their lease agreement done finally. Bring on the schedule. I have games to plan for.:)
Great news that Eville got things done. Hope they got a decent deal that doesn't handcuff them. Will be interesting to see what Geary had to agree to make this thing happen. Kish seemed to be playing hardball and wasn't willing to negotiate, he wanted to dictate.