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Tailing the Komets

Where does Chaulker rank?

Now that he's gone, we can talk about him all we want. LOL.

Where does Colin Chaulk rank among all-time Komets? Of, if you would prefer, by his era of Komets?

He played 461 games as a Komet and ranks sixth in career points. I'd say it's possible he's the best all-around forward the Komets have

Posted in: Komets

Comments

JungleMonkey
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 11:11am

I think this is a generational thing. A lot of fans under 30 will call Chaulk one of the greatest Komets ever. I'm 31 and remeber seeing Chin play. At the time I didn't have an understanding of just how good he was.

I don't think its fair to compare "AAA" Komets to "AA" Komets.

Chaulk is no doubt the best "AA" player to have ever played for the Komets.

I think a lot of IHL (the real IHL) players were more skilled than Chaulk. Not many showed more heart, determination, and grit than Colin.

By far the best Komet of the "AA" era.

Chad
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 11:37am

I have an Uncle who had been a season ticket holder since the first year they started play( I think 1952 right?). Anyways, since they joined the UHL, he only came sporadically(sp). He compares Colin Chaulk to Len Thornson. And he says Chaulk is the best player this team has ever had since Mr. Thornson.

Eric Tomlinson
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 11:38am

JM raises a valid point: there have been so many generations, levels of hockey and changes in the game it's hard to compare players from different eras. The K's in the 50's & 60's, for example, played in a time when only six NHL franchises existed. rather than 30. Given that many teams in the big leagues, how long would players like Thornson have stayed in Ft Wayne?

One thing which can't be taken from him: championship rings. And lots of them!

Chaulker
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 12:13pm

#1 in AA K's

He'd be hard pressed to battle those others you mentioned, but he may still be in the top 15 forwards, but I tend to think he'd be a lot lower.

teresa215
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 3:44pm

I can only speak for two eras of time. From 1972 to 1986 I'd probably pick Robbie Laird, Terry McDougall, Al Dumba or Ron Leef as best. Since my return to Fort Wayne in 2002, Chaulker has always been my favorite. (Just ask anybody, they'll tell ya!) I don't think there's any other player in the IHL/UHL/CHL that's better than him. How soon can we have him back????!!!

Steve
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 4:18pm

As one of those fossils who has been going since year one I agree with JM and Chaulker. As Eric pointed out, several of those numbers hanging from the rafters wouldn't be there if there had been more then six NHL teams back in their days.

Colin deserves recognition for what he has contributed to Komet hockey, and he is one of the best but I don't think he can be compared directly with the earlier Komets. I do feel he could have found a spot on the AAA Komets of the late 80s, early 90s but he would have been one of many. Attitude, heart, work ethic, yeah, sure, he's one of the best. Same with contributing to the community and youth hockey.

He's one of those who will be remembered for a very long time.

Dschebig
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 4:42pm

Having seen all the individuals named above. I think it is unfair to compare players from one decade to another. They were are "Great" Komets. They all contributed in their own way. Chaulker was more than just a player. He was and is a leader. He always left it all on the ice. I feel privileged to have seen him play. I will leave it up to those who decide what numbers hang in the rafters. I am pretty sure #91 will be up there one day. He is a classy individual who will succeed in whatever he does. I am sure we all wish him nothing but the very best. I truly admired his toughness and his honesty.

DUGLAW
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 5:03pm

Dale Baldwin was my all time favorite komet but I think Chaulk is now and he meant more to the community than just being a komet. Big loss in many ways for Fort Wayne

Z.Anderson84
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 6:24pm

4th best Forward in Komet history....can't rank him ahead of Thornson, Chin, and Laird

Mike in Toronto
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 6:41pm

Obviously I can't comment on the players from years gone by. I can say that Fort Wayne hockey was known to most of us who played in Southern Ontario through the '60s and '70s. I am not qualified to comment on Colin as to where he fits in everyone's ranking.

What has been written above seems very fair to Colin. People have different perspectives on the game and the players who play it.

Two things that stand out to me as a friend. First Colin gets fair recognition as a great player in a great hockey town. Second and most important to me, and I am sure to Colin as well, is the positive comments about his leadership and contributions to the community off the ice.

As Colin goes into the next phase of his life, it will be those two attributes that will define the person he has become.
With a kudos to the folks in Fort Wayne for helping him get there.

Ben
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 7:21pm

I have to agree with the AA and AAA issue, Colin was absolutely one of the best at this level but if i remember correctly never really was able to stay up at the A.H.L. level. The year of chin and team that beat San Diego for the cup the komets basically beat an N.H.L. team.

komets123
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 7:34pm

When I consider what he has done for his team i think he is one of the top players of all time yes. Even when comparing different leagues and generations, I like to gauge it by how much that player meant to their current team. Chaulk IMO was the heart and soul of this Komet team for sooooo long.

Not only was he skilled, he brought so much more with him. He elevated the game of the players him, and very few players have that ability. He was a true leader, both by example, and in spirit. He was a teacher and coach. He was a HUGE clutch player. Many of these intangibles never show up on someones stat sheet. However, IMO they separate a very good player from a great one.

So IMO, regardless of what league or generation you compare him to, he is one of the very best. In the 20 years I have watched Komet hockey I would take him over anyone. Well i would be torn between Colin Chin and Chaulk. Forced to decide I would likely choose Chaulk.

Hit Somebody!!!
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 7:44pm

#1 for his era.

#1 for the Komets all-time just for the impact he has had on this team the last several years. Not comparing AAA to AA talent......just on pure impact on what he has done for the franchise.

He is my #1. But I am not saying anyone else is wrong. Everyone has great points. For the time I have followed the Komets, I have to say he is #1.

He was an all-around star on and off the ice. Just think back to the one year he went to Italy, and how much we all noticed the difference in teams, and when he came back....BINGO.

He is the man.

Plus he dubbed Blake......."Super Fan"......with Hit Somebody's help of course.

Ben
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 9:18pm

chaulker for sure is one of the best players i have ever seen with the puck against the boards. he would always win those battles against the boards and come out with the puck. Im guessing within 3 years he will be back coaching the K's.

Orange_Koolaid
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 9:36pm

This is a tough topic, really cool blake. Hockey evolved aswell as the players. Hockey got better as the preparedness and medicinal science brought a better game product. Whether its the grit of the 50s, 60s, 70s, or the more finesse with grit of now, its tougher to be a hockey player nowadays.
I agree with everyone, its so hard to compare because everyone has a different angle. And shoot, with all these angles, everything is positive.
#91 will hang from the rafters because of his ability to put the puck in the net. When I say that it means all aspects to his game play whether it be from his own stick, indirectly through leadership, or the smiles of children and parents off the ice. Well-rounded, best ever, and he isnt done. He will be back.

Chaulker
Tue, 08/17/2010 - 10:14am

There's no doubt that #91 belongs in the rafters w/ the rest of them!!!!!!!!

just say in
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:03am

I was just wondering why when we talk about numbers to be hung in the rafter #12 Carey Lucyk never comes up?? The guy played 583 games in 8 full seasons with he Ks. He also played 73 games for Indy the year before he came to the Ks. When the league was at its best AAA. Was an IHL all star, Komets top defensman "not top scoring D-man" many years. He also was a coach with Chin when they we had no coach. I also know he was an alternate caption if not the captain. He was also the union rep for the team "I would think that did not make the owners happy" I know that #12 is up new with Reg and you could make and argument for #12 Ron Leef but not as good. Just my thoughts!!

Steve
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 11:16am

just say in- you make a strong argument and Carey was one of my favorites. Not sure how much this has to do with it but he wasn't particularly a fan favorite. IMO most people didn't realize or appreciate how skilled he was as a defensive defenseman and there were time he was treated poorly by groups of fans.

I'm not sure about the union rep or for how long, Boyce was one also so maybe for part of his career here? Without looking up stats I wonder how many other players, especially in the earlier years, would have to be considered also if Carey's number was retired.

But yes, he is one of my all time favorites.

Scarecrow
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 3:38pm

Carey Lucyk was a good player in his prime Unfortunately, IMO Carey waited a year or two too long before retiring. His overall image is thus negatively influenced by his end of career performances.

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