The last time Mitch Woods played hockey, a week and a half ago, he was the goaltender. When Woods decided to quit the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL last season, he bought some used goaltending equipment because he figured he'd be bored playing pick-up hockey back home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
``I don't know why Bouch complains about it so much," Woods said. ``You just stand there and let the puck hit you. You also really understand how out of shape you are because you are dripping wet by the time warm-ups are done.''
Woods has about six weeks to get into shape after the Komets announced Tuesday they had signed the right wing. He'll report to Fort Wayne on Jan. 11 and hopes to be ready to play by the end of January.
``I'm sure Simsy will have me puking mug guts out every day there for a while. I know I'm in better shape now than I was three weeks ago, but I'm still quite a ways away from being in gameshape. I don't think my leg shape is where it should be, either. It will be a rough couple of weeks once I get there.''
Woods, 23, signed with the Komets over the summer but then was unable to report because his job in Prince Albert would not hold the youth care work position for him. Now the company he works for has agreed to give Woods a leave-of-absence.
Woods said he's been talking continually with friend Matt Syroczynski and has been checking in with Komets General Manager David Franke.
``I was thinking about it the whole time. You always second-guess your decision. It wasn't a very popular decision with my family, and now owning a house makes it more difficult, but it's so
