From a Komets press release
The Komets announced Tuesday that they have bolstered the offense and defense of the 2012-13 preseason roster with the additions of last year's CHL MVP Brandon Marino and veteran defenseman Tyler Butler.
Marino, 26, will be joining his teammate of the past two seasons in Quad City, Eric Giosa, as a member of the reigning 2012 CHL Champion Fort Wayne Komets when the puck drops in October. Marino, the 2012 CHL All-Star Game MVP, led the CHL in 2011-12 with a career best 41 goals in 65 games and capped the year as league MVP. The right winger led the Mallards with career highs of 49 assists and 90 points and led Quad City's special teams with 13 power play goals and 22 power play assists. The Riverside, California native will be entering his fourth career year since his pro debut with Quad City in 2009 and becomes the first player to join the Komets after scoring 40 or more goals in a season since 2004-05 when Chris Grenville (RW) signed with the Komets after netting 45 goals the previous season with Laredo in the CHL.
Butler, 32, skated the past two seasons with Arizona of the CHL. Butler served as Sundogs' captain last year while leading Arizona defensemen with 10 goals, 29 assists, 39 points and 111 penalty minutes appearing in all 66 games. The Kanata, Ontario native has skated seven of nine pro seasons in the CHL. Butler played two AHL games with Peoria during 2005-06 while a member of the UHL's Missouri River Otters.
The addition of Marino and Butler brings the Komet preseason roster to eight players including five forwards and three defensemen. Previously added were Colin Chaulk (C), Brett Smith (C), Eric Giosa (C), Kaleigh Schrock (RW), Kyle Atkins (D) and Daniel Maggio (D).
Comments
Blake: What are the chances that Frankie D. and Brent Henley will equate with the current mix? What about Mele?
I think Frankie and Brent will be fine. I don't know about Tom. I'd like to see Tom come back, but he may have to be a training camp tryout or something like that. I don't know.
I'm on vacation, so I'm only going to check the blog every so often for the next couple of weeks so please be patient if your post has not been approved in the normal amount of time.
Blake - with all the firepower up front the K's have signed, what do think the chances are of Auger, Rizk, Thorne and even possibly Vaskivuo returning (I know he is in in Europe, but who knows)? the offense has a chance to be outstanding the year with what they have already signed and the return of the guys could make it really exciting. Just hope we get some other solid d-men. Also what are you hearing on the goalie search? Any goalies appear to be the "front runners"
I really like the signings so far and it would be nice to see Auger, Rizk, Thorne, Henley and DeAngelis back in the mix. My only 2 concerns are the goalie situation and the signing of all CHL players. It would be nice to see a ECHL player or 2 on the roster. They could give a little insight on the play in the new league. But like Chaulk says, its all AA hockey. But I was wondering in the CHL you could dress 18 players a game. Is it the same in the ECHL? I thought I read somewhere where you can dress 19 but am not sure of that. It would be nice to have that extra spot so you can have an extra forward and extra d-man.
Kometcrazy!
Go to the ECHL site and look up the rules tap and you can get the answer to your question!
I'm with K's Rock and KometKrazy for the most part.
The Komets are doing something a little different this year putting together their roster. That being building the team upfront instead of from the goaltending on out. I am very excited with the forwards the Franke's have gathered . Chaulk, Smith, Schrock, Giosa, and Marino will provide a lot of excitement. It's particularly gratifying to me to hear and read David Franke concentrate on getting goal scorers. ( If you've read my posts in the past you will remember I'm alsways looking to get more "snipers").
If I could get my wish, the K's would also get Auger and Vaskivuo locked up. ( I know that the k's are trying to lure Vaskivuo to the team by trying to get him a two way contract with someone in the AHL). My wish list would also include Rizk up front, and DeAngelis on defense. Give this a little thought:
Potential lines: ( capitalized names are presently unsigned)
Chaulk- AUGER-VASKIVUO
RIZK- Schrock-THORNE
Giosa-Marino
Smith-
Just think, with the four unsigned players ( so far) the Komets would have two complete lines from last season. The two lines are would be very experienced with each other, and the other line ( Giosa and Marino) would be experienced, too. That is hard to ignore.
The defense is coming along, too. I like Maggio and think Butler will fit in nicely. DeAngelis is a necessary part, however.
Not sure on the goaltending. I wonder how Boucher's first surgery went. I have faith that the Franke's have their sights on a #1 goaltender and maybe a youngster.
As I sit here I think getting Auger or Vaskivuo is critical. I would like to get both, but you have to get either one or the other. I have heard through the grapevine that Rizk and Thorne are signed but not yet announced. This team is already close to being "special", but a few more pieces are necessary to make it happen.
If signings continue like this, I'll be curious to see how things transpire in the first season in the ECHL. It seemed like the Komets put together an IHL3 All-Star team to compete in the CHL (minus Chaulk at first) and the results just weren't there. This has a similar feeling to it, and I'm quite interested to see how things transpire (obviously I'm hoping for much better first season results in this league).
My instinct tells me that the K's have got their goaltending sights set on two guys. I also believe that we will hear of at least one coming on board very soon. Maybe both.
Need to concentrate on Vaskivou, Auger, DeAngelis, Rizk, and to a lesser degree, Thorne.
Well I just purchased my flight to go see the Komets on Dec. 7-9 in Orlando. Anybody else going?