The Komets announced this morning that forwards Mitch Woods and Matt Syroczynski are returning to Fort Wayne. Woods, a 5-foot-10 175-pound forward, was part of the Komets 2008 title team as a rookie before playing with Cincinnati in the ECHL for 12 games last year. Syroczynski, a 6-5, 225-pound forward, played the last two years in Cincinnati after playing his 2006-07 rookie season in Fort Wayne.
Woods scored 15 goals and 36 points while earning 297 penalty minutes with the Komets in 2007-08. He had one goal and 41 penalty minutes in 12 games last year with Cincinnati before he quite the team and returned home to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
After leaving the Komets, Syroczynski scored 55 goals and 90 points in 102 games over two years with the Cyclones.
The signings give the Komets 20 players under contract, including 11 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. Training camp starts Oct. 5.
Comments
Nice....
Very, Very Nice! 30 to 35 guys in camp. My guess some of these guys will be in Evansville this season. Looking good! Let's get the season on. Thanks Blake for being first again!
Good news! Now I just have to teach my mom how to pronounce Syroczynski, since she wasn't coming to the games when he played here last.
I keep hearing rumblings that Big Snake may be a possibility... don't know how I feel about that one as I couldn't stand him when he was with Rockford. My question is, is he a veteran? I'm at work and the stupid net nanny won't let me look it up from here.
Id take bigsnake in a new york minute! this league needs more guys like him. #'s and fistafucffs
Big Snake is not an option. You guys have all bought into Hit Somebody's Kool-Aid. LOL.
You think with Stayzer, Woods, McMillan, Bertram, Syroczynski, Rodger, Mironovic and Thomas the Komets need to get any tougher? Somebody's got to score on this team for crying out load. Plus, we don't know anything about how tough the rookies are yet.
Blake you right on again. However, Mironovic is big and strong but tough might be a stretch. Who has he mixed it up with and won? The rest of those guys will go with anyone at anytime. Most of the time they will come out on top.
Blake: Finally a voice of reason! Big Snake was way-y-y-y-y overrated IMO.
With Stayzer, Mac, and Woods that is plenty of guys to do all the "fighting" if need be. It takes pressure off guys like Bertram who doesn't have to drop the gloves now, but can if needed to.
Overrated in your opinion yes. And ok, maybe not with the guys we got now, but bignake would be a HUGE pick up for any team in the IHL... period. just think if every team had a bigsnake... or a woods, or a mac... and so on :) I just want the puck to drop!
I would not necessarily put Mironovic in the "Tough" catergory. However he certainly deserves a spot in the protection catergory. Last year I remember him going after players who were running Bouch, especially towards the end of the season. It was really cool to see him protect his goalie like that.
where did big snake play last year? or did he hang up the blades?
Some great news today again! Some of you bloggers have some great contacts. I always thought that Big Snake would be a great player if he had the right coach. I really like what we have on paper so far. This should be a great year for a lot of teams in the IHL.
I want to know who besides Dupuis is going to kill penalties? Boucher/Haun better be ready to face 40+ shots a night.
This team is quickly reminding me of a Brian Burke team. No questioning the rugged and aggressive style which will be very entertaining. The key will be how the PK and goaltenders stand up to the pressure.
yes he's back baby! MITCH IS BACK!
So far, so good. This team is coming together nicely. I would feel better with two more snipers. I am wondering what the status is for Rick Varone. He would take care of one of the "snipers". I'm sure that one or two of the "rookies" will be a nice surprise, too. The K's have done a real nice job the last few years finding first year players who have been solid contributors. ( how many times have I used the word "nice" in this comment?) I am disappointed that Justin Cross decided to retire. I think he would have been an asset to this team.
Varone is still talking to the Komets.
Aquino would've been a great sniper...
Schedule is... um, scheduled, to be released tomorrow.
Tomorrow, Tomorrow I'll just have to wait til Tomorrow. Is that kind of like next week only shorter?
Snuffleupugus:
What do you mean "who will protect the goalies?" Lets see, you mentioned Dupuis already. There's Bert, Mironovic, Rodgers did a nice job as a late seasnon pickup, Stayzer looked like a solid D-man, Warner can get the job done assuming he stays healthy. And not to mention the 2 best defensive forwards in the league, Chaulk & Hukalo. Who else do we need on the PK?
Enough on the toughness stuff, already. We need to score goals to win. Who is going to make up the goals from Curedeau and O'Conner?
And what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn't one today. ;)
Yeah, yeah... I know.
Looking forward to the scheduled release of the schedule. Oh, please let there be a home Halloween game. :D And yes, the signing news is exciting. It will be wonderful to see Mitch again in person. And Syro... I don't know how he was while he was here -- I guess he was kind of just starting out if he won "most improved" -- but he was a star on Cincy's roster, a real go-to guy. Sure, at 6'5" he was tough, but he always struck me as being a real team leader down there, kind of like a tall version of Chaulk. Not that they have the same style of play (I don't feel comfortable evaluating things like that) but that was the "vibe" I got from him. He'll be an awesome addition for the Komets.
his is getting to the point where I find myself wondering how people are going to fit.
I say no to Halloween game=MMA fight in Lma Ohio.
I think Syro will take over where Curadeau or O'Connor left off. Mitch Woods could be a guy who chips in 20 goals too. You put those 2 guys on a line with Chaulk, and they will score goals, plus Dupuis would be one of the Defensemen on the ice with them alot of the time. I have no worries. This team is looking fun, entertaining, tough, and talented.
I'm sorry; but Syro in no way matches the tenacity that Curadeau and O'Connor had on the ice..... IMO this is what the K's will miss the most with those two not coming back... The way they never let up and got under the other teams skin by just playing 110% all the time in all zones... Really hard to replace that....
well curadeau and oconnor arent comming back so dont worry about it. guys have to play their own style not somebody elses. before those buys got here youd never heard of them or seen them play so someone else will take over..happens every year and does no good to worry about former players. gee no dman has ever been a s tough as cal purinton but i think he was replaced quite ok over the years!
nice chuckitt. i get kinda sick of hearing those comments too. Look at all the players we have and be thankful :) NOW SIGN VARONE!!
I think Syro is going to surprise you all. Just look at there points. Curadeau's was better but you also have to think who he was playing with as well. Syro averages 45 points a year and Curadeau averages 60 a year. When Syro played for Fort Wayne he was thrown on many lines through out the year. One minute he was with Marchant and Ruid, Then with Chaulk and Goodwin, Then with Rudenko and Goneau. I mean we had a good team that year, our lines just didn't stay consistent with each other. The past two years we have been able to keep three main lines but switch them up occasionally and they would work. I still think 06-07 year was the best overall team we had. Our defense just wasn't that good that year and we only had Gascon, Syro, and Seney for rookies.
Syro said he has learned how to play the game better and I believe him. He has one a championship and he is coming back from a league that had a little bit more talent and he could still get it done there.