The Komets waived rookie defenseman Brian Boulay on Monday and revealed forward Brad MacMillan suffered a broken hand during Saturday night's fight against Muskegon. MacMillan said he'd like to try playing through the injury, but General Manager David Franke said it's very unlikely MacMillan will play this week, though he will not be placed on injured reserve.
MacMillan said he hurt his hand on his last punch against Muskegon's Scott Gabriel.
"I guess I punched too hard," MacMillan said. "Right on that last uppercut I threw, I hit him funny. I didn't think it was broken until the next day when it blew up on me. The doctor said it will take three weeks to heal, but I want to play."
After the regular season finishes Saturday night, the International Hockey League roster deadline is Noon, Monday, with the waiver draft on Tuesday. To qualify for the playoff roster, a player must participate in at least six IHL games this season. The Komets could wait until the waiver draft to see who becomes available, but they could be picking last if they can clinch the regular-season title, and usually defensemen are a priority for every team.
Franke said he's already got a list of players who would be eligible, and said he's made a couple of calls. Former Komet Ryan Jorde was released by Flint this week, but the Komets already have the league limit of seven veterans. Rookie Vince Tarantino tried to skate in practice Monday, but his hip injury will not allow him to play in the playoffs.
The Komets say they released Boulay to allow him to go home to handle some personal issues.
"He had some personal issues that came up over the weekend, and he wasn't sure he was going to be able to make the commitment and we weren't able to wait and see if he could come back or not," Franke said. "We can't be in that situation when the final roster is due. We understood where he was coming from. We felt that parting company was the best thing for him to get back home and get things squared away."
