From a Komets' press release:
The Komets announced Tuesday the addition of three defensemen to the 2013-14 roster. Simon Danis-Pepin has been acquired from the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL for future considerations and Nik Pokulok has agreed to terms. Jeremy Gates has re-signed with Fort Wayne for his second pro year.
Danis-Pepin (see-MOAN, dan-EE PEH-pin), 25, split stints last season between Orlando and San Francisco in the ECHL. The 6-foot, 7-inch, 240-pound defenseman completed the year skating 61 games with the Bulls scoring three goals and 10 points while accumulating 61 penalty minutes. Danis-Pepin was selected by Chicago in round 2 of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft while a member of the University of Maine Black Bears (Hockey East). The Montreal, Quebec native captained Maine in 2008-09 while leading defensemen with 13 assists in his final college year. Danis-Pepin made his pro debut in 2009-10 when he began a three-year stretch of splitting seasons in the AHL and ECHL with Rockford and Toledo. 2013-14 will be his fifth pro year.
Pokulok (POCK-uh-lock), 23, will be starting his first full year as a pro. The 6-foot, 5-inch defensemen made his pro debut last season skating six regular season games with Stockton before appearing in all 23 Thunder playoff games and advancing to the ECHL Finals. The Vaudreuil, Quebec native completed four season with Clarkson University (ECAC) last year before joining Stockton.
Gates, 25, will be returning to the Komet blue line after making his pro start with with Fort Wayne where he skated a total of 17 games last season scoring a goal and four points. The Jackson, Michigan native also appeared in 15 CHL games with Bloomington (6 assists) and 28 SPHL games at Pensacola (3 goals, 11 points) during his first pro year. Gates returned to Pensacola for the Ice Flyers' successful run for the SPHL Presidents' Cup appearing in seven playoff games contributing two assists.
Comments
Welcome back Gates and welcome the beef!!!
Got a lot of size on the Blueline right now......
Those are some big boys..and young also...i like the signings so far...
Any word on affiliation news?
Yes, like the size, penalty minutes and hopefully skating ability.
What about a GOALIE?
Goalie might be the last guys signed/assigned and they are working on affiliation and definitely want one.
Love the size that Danis-Pepin and Pokulok will bring, but can they skate and / or put the puck in the net? K's will need some D-men that can score and I do not know if these guys can do that. Even so, I like what these guys can bring to the team - big, physical guys who can bang in the corners and protect the K's zone. Now how about an ECHL caliber goalie and some more scoring punch? K's may have gotten this one right......
Just wondering if the coach is trying to get the AHL kids from last year, I see Scfhaus, Brittan and Kennedy are nto signed, Dont care for Kennedy much, would love Schaus as he can really skate and score, And Brittan would be one of our top guys
Talking to them, but those guys are going to look for free agent deals in the AHL first.
I am happy with all 3 of these signings. Love the size.
I am in the minority....but I like Gates. He needs developed...but has size, moves the puck, and skates well. Needs confidence in being more aggressive IMO....and just overall sharpening of skills. I think he can grow and develop into a quality player.
Let's hope B Molle is signed by the Ks and also a couple of offensive defenseman assigned here by our NHL parent club.
Let's go komets....!
Hopefully these two giant d-men actually hit people. If they play like Henley did, cut them.
It seems like good goalies at this level are abundant so I don't think finding one will be a problem. Every team in the league had one last year, even the teams that struggled.