Veteran forward Konstantin Shafranov is leaving the Komets on Friday to play for Kazakhstan in the upcoming World Championships in Germany. Because he'll play a minimum of six games, Shafranov will not be back the rest of this season, after which he's planning to retire anyway.
Because the games do not start until May 7, there's no chance Shafranov will be back in time to make the playoffs. Besides that, the Komets would not want to use up a roster spot by holding a position open for him.
Playing in the world championships has always been a dream for Shafranov, who played in the 1998 Olympics, especially since one of his good friends is now coaching the team.
Comments
Oh no who could they ever get to take his spot?!?!?
Some guy named Aquino is in Fort Wayne right now, but at the same time can he really fill in for Shaf's team play?
Its April, shouldn't we be signing Hodgman right about now?????
best of luck to shaf...i hope the komets recognize him before the game on sunday for everything he has done for the team. the russian stick handler will be missed!
I saw Aquino and Legault at the game last night. Chance? I don't think so. I bet they are our playoff additions. At least one of them anyway.
Good Luck Shaf, You will be missed by all. It has been fun watching you play for the Komets.
From my understand the K's would be able to sign an AM or a Junior Player. They would not be able to sign Aquino. Huge blow to the K's will this lost
The Komets can't bring anyone in now... well they could, but they would not meet the minimum requirements to play in the playoffs with the team. They must play a minimum of six regular season games to qualify for the post season.
Hmmmm wonder what Stayzer is doing right now?
Digger that rule no longer applies this year. They did away with it after last year
I'll be sad to see Shaf go. He's easily one of the best puck handlers you will ever see at this level. Even at his age, he's left much younger, faster, stronger guys looking stupid as he skated away this year. He also has by far the best introduction when he makes the starting line-up. Best of luck from here on out, Shaf.
I've heard in the past that Aquino being in town doesn't necessarily mean anything. Last I heard, he had a lady friend here. But the man could play. That's for sure.
Sorry to hear about Shafy, but happy for him to get this opportunity. He will definitely be missed. I guess we just have to say goodbye a little bit sooner than expected.
By the way, back in March people were talking about Robbie Laird and Schrock. I mentioned that I seemed to recall hearing that as a child, Schrock played for a team associated with Laird in some way. Some people were then wondering how that was possible. Well, I was just watching a disc that Otto made of the mythical Komets Game of the Week "lost episode" filmed on March 19. That was the one that included my interview with Mike in Toronto. During the second intermission, Randy interviewed Robbie Laird, and Laird mentioned knowing Schrock quite well because he "came to our hockey school when he was 5 or 6 years old". So there you go.
Why couldn't they sign Aquino? It isn't a money issue. If we are really playing by cap rules, which is questionable(Muskegon), they could give him what Shaf was getting, right? Shaf will no longer affect the weekly salary if he is off the team. So sign Aquino. Today.
He is a tweener still, right? So no issue there, even if he is a veteran, so was Shaf.
I guarantee that someone will be signed.
I also would bet anything, that cost really won't be an issue. The Turner Cup belongs in Fort Wayne, and I am sure the Frankes will keep it here, and out of the hands of the FuryJerks.
I think he is not eligible to return because he played over seas. I think the deadline for that was back in Feb. The deadline for ECHL or CHL players was March 1st. Thus leaving only Junior Players or players out of College
I heard Chase say Phillips was not playing tonight or tomorrow night,,but didnt hear why..did anyone hear why?
Someone needs to take a collection so Bob Chase can buy a new tape recorder. :S
We need a ruling Blake. Can Aquino play for the Komets this year? If his season is done, he should be ok, I'd guess. And there are no more rules for number of games played to be elgible for the playoffs. They dropped that rule.
Dayton is skating 2 men short. Spencer is out with a crack bone in his due to his fight with Woods. Matt Macaroon (sp) left the team this morning. Coach Marks stated in his pre game interview is that the Club is just trying to get through the rest of the year, basically throwing in the towel..things not going all to well in Dayton.
According to pointstreak, they are playing with 15 and we are playing with 16.
Come on Flint....they are winning over Muskegon right now...
Didn't we hear early in the year or even the summer that Shaf would be playing in that World Championship? So is Friday his last game, or is he leaving Friday?
Tomorrow Sunday is his last game....
There has to be a plan for his replacement. I can't believe that the organization wouldn't have a plan knowing this was coming.
Well as for signing a player, like Aquino, that is pure guess on my part. Per IHL web site:
Player signing deadlines:
ECHL or CHL players March 1st
Non-North American Players Feb. 1st.
Flint beats Muskegon in a shootout 5-4. Bloomington loses...
Flint beats Muskegon in shootout.
BC beats Wisconsin 5-0.
Pointstreak has already posted the 3 stars and there is still 3 minutes to go lol
Woods thrown out for spearing (5 minutes plus a game misconduct). Who was it on? Because he was a victim of boarding from Oke just a few minutes beforehand.
Woods brings so much to the team, maybe he can step up to the 1st line and take Shaf's spot.
The IHL website isn't updated right. There are no restrictions to sign any player from overseas or the ECHL. Other than the team they are coming from is not in the playoffs.
Chase is teasing us! "Big news" coming tomorrow or Monday...
Leo was on fire tonight. Hat-trick.
Aquino would most likely be a possibility, I would think.