The Komets announced Wednesday that veteran goaltender Nick Boucher has agreed to terms for the upcoming 2011-12 season. Boucher will be starting his fifth consecutive season with the Komets when the puck drops in October. Boucher backstopped the Komets to three straight International Hockey League Turner Cup Championships in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10. The netminder snagged the IHL Goaltender of the Year Award for 2008-09 and was voted by his teammates as the Komets' Most Valuable Player that year.
"Nick has already been working out at Spiece Fieldhouse in anticipation of the upcoming season," Komet general manager David Franke said. "Nick was not totally happy with his performance last year and wants to get back to championship form. This signing should be good news to all Komet fans. Nick is a fierce competitor and a winner, perfect traits to bring back to the Komets this year."
Boucher, 30, will be entering his ninth season as a pro since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and making his pro debut in 2003-04 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL.
The Komets also announced Wednesday that rookie forward Todd McIlrath has been inked to the 2011-12 preseason roster. McIlrath (MACK-el-rath), 25, skated the last two seasons in the AAHL and was a member of the Davidson Cup Champion Battle Creek Revolution last season, posting four goals and nine points in five playoff games.
The Livonia, Michigan native also skated for Komet assistant coach Gary Graham when Graham coached the Indiana Ice of the USHL in 2004-05 and 2005-06. McIlrath attended Komet games when he had the opportunity while skating for the Indy Ice and has had a long-time dream of playing in Fort Wayne.
