Got this note yesterday and talked with him today.
``I am officially retiring and have told the Komets and all the other teams that made me a contract offer. Hockey has been a part of my life since i was 3 years old so this was a tough decision to make, but one that every player must go through at some point. Everything fell into place this off season and I was offered a job I just could not refuse. I wanted you to relay a message to the Komet fans: I want to thank the Komet fans who supported me and the team during my 2 years there. It was an honor to wear the Komet logo on my chest and a true privilege to play in front of 8,000 fans a night. The support we receive throughout the community and the thousands of fans who spend their hard earned money to watch us play, makes Fort Wayne such a special place to play hockey. I would also like to thank the Franke Family for treating me so well and running a first class organization.''
Comments
Classy statement from Syro. Quality guy, good luck to him moving forward.
He was a class act and leaves the Komets with even more class.
Surprising....
Good luck to him!!!
Very surprising, must have been a great offer, so whats he getting into now?
I have 4 Syro cards that I never got signed :(
Best of Luck.
Good Luck Matt! I am just glad I don't have to squeeze your name on a score sheet anymore. You were a very good player, a nice guy and will be missed. There comes a time when every player has to look out for his future. Best wishes!
Matt it was a pleasure to have you here!! Best of luck to you Sir!!!
Matt was a class guy on and off the ice. He will be missed..
Good luck in your future endeavors..
I am assuming ( I don't know for sure ) that the contract offer the Komets extended to Syro is now like "found money". I mean they budgeted for him when they offered their contract versus the salary cap, and now that he isn't coming back, wouldn't that free up some more cash to replace him with another top line player?
David Franke was quoted that there are some pretty good players that he'd like to bring in but couldn't and still stay under the salary cap. Maybe now?
So far, without counting on any kids, the Komets appear to have seven forwards who should get twenty or more goals. Two more would give you three complete lines of twenty goal scorers. No team can defense such scoring when it is spread out over three lines.
The defense is shaping up nicely and DeAngelis, Dupuis, and Warner would create a tough decision down the line on who to let go. Those three aren't signed as yet and I think the toughest one to sign will be DeAngelis as he has no "hometown ties" to keep him here.
Boucher is a huge signing.
Size is an issue at this point, but not team speed.
I am intrigued by the posts of this mystery 6'-4" 230lb player that has been written about a few threads ago. I am hoping it is not Olivier LeGault.
Also, common sense tells me that Rapid City won't make the expensive trip to open the season here in Fort Wayne. Why would anyone schedule it? Opening night will be a sellout regardless so it makes more sense to have them in later in the year for another guaranteed sellout. Plus, what advantage is that for Rapid City to make such an expensive trip before they have a chance to have a few home games to produce some income for themselves?
I've had some computer problems the last week and am just catching up on my reading.
Blake, it was good meeting you and talking with you at the Fort Wayne Newspapers lobby last Wednesday.
Wish you nothing but the best from all the fans in Cinci, Chico
Oh man, that sucks... but I wish him the best. :) And Alan, I think Legs is bigger than the mystery man Mightbite was talking about.
Sign Frankie!
Agree--please bring Frankie back!
Good luck to Matt. Certainly the player was an asset to the team during his time here. Hopefully they replace him with another young player.
Glad to see one blog in town was on top of this story :)
July 15th has passed... Where's the schedule we were promised?
To Syro, Best of luck will always be remembered as a class act. Good scoreer with lots of speed.
Nope, Five Minute Major....Legs is about exactly 6'5", 230 lbs....but then, I could be off by a few pounds. I don't weigh him in or anything. But he is for sure, 6'5".
Syro: Thank you for your great plays, you will always be in our 3-peat puck shaped hearts!
Dude had a huge run for us here. Very fun to watch this guy finish in front of the net.
Very Classy Guy and a very classy message he sent. Looks like he gets it.
Best Wishes Syro. If your day job falls thru, comeback, I'd welcome you back in a heartbeat.
We works as a manager at World Gym in Buffalo, New York.