The Komets will have a working agreement with the higher-level American Hockey League's Hershey Bears this season, Fort Wayne general manager David Franke said Monday afternoon.
As part of the agreement, the Komets will receive a defenseman on assignment this season. Also, the Bears will hold a spot in their training camp for a Komets player who has yet to be signed.
The Komets had discussed a full affiliation with the Bears, which might have meant players more frequently traveling between the two clubs. This will be less formal.
"It's kind of a gentleman's agreement," Franke said.
The Komets are also discussing having a similar working agreement with Bridgeport of the AHL. Komets coach Pat Bingham was an assistant with Bridgeport last season.
Franke said the Komets may pursue a full affiliation in future seasons. He also stressed that the working agreement with Hershey doesn't mean Fort Wayne players can't be called up by other AHL teams this season.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Maybe the Komets can use this working agreement to attract Jamie Milam to Fort Wayne. Sure would love to see him in a Komet's uniform again.
Posted by: Rick | August 28, 2006 at 12:16 PM
i'm more comfortable with a working agreement than I am with a full affiliation. I like knowing who's going to be on the ice not who's not because of a call up. There is a tough enough time trying to keep track of things when they cut players the day of and bring somebody in the day of a game.
Posted by: Greg | August 28, 2006 at 01:12 PM
Its kind of a catch-22. If they play well here, they won't be here that long unless the rosters in the AHL and NHL are loaded or injury free.
The only thing I don't like about any agreement is if we put alot of our eggs in that basket (which I don't think we have done). Its nice for attraction of younger, more talented players but again its a fan's nightmare if these upper clubs deplete your staff. I am sure there will be ups and downs to this agreement during the course of the season.
Posted by: scoops | August 28, 2006 at 01:37 PM
How about this:
Komets are gonna get a defenseman from Hershey. Donny Grover(Danbury Trashers) signed to play in Hershey. What if he is the defenseman that Komets get. There is, however, a catch, the Komets have to get his rights from Flint. Well, who do the Komets trade to get those rights. Jim Duhart, I've heard rumblings they may be willing to pullout the old No. 19 out. It all makes sense in the scheme of things. Will be interesting to watch.
Posted by: Mark | August 28, 2006 at 07:21 PM
That sounds good to me Mark! Lets get the deal done! If the defenseman happened to be Grover we would be very solid with Dupuis, Hanson, Grover, and Dombkiewicz. Lets get the same thing done with Bridgeport. Any news on the potential rookies that Dombkiewicz knows?
Posted by: JC | August 28, 2006 at 08:00 PM
Justin, if the Komets have only the minimum 3 rookies on the team and one rookie get's called up to play a weekend in the AHL, do the Komets need to find another rookie to dress for their games? Or are they exempt because one of the rookies was called up? Hope that makes sense.....
Posted by: dnl | August 28, 2006 at 08:22 PM
I would love for it to be Donny Grover. He is a Bingham-type defenseman.
Here is the roster for Hershey going into camp:
http://www.hersheypa.com/events/hershey_bears/team/index.php
There are a few guys the Komets may get. I would imagine they are ones who aren't signed with Capitals. Those include Donny Grover, Deryk Engelland, and Tyler Sloan. Every other dman is listed as being in the Caps system on their website. However, with that said, I wouldn't mind it being Jamie Hunt. He comes from a great hockey program and was voted #1 slapshot and pointman in the league.
Posted by: | August 28, 2006 at 08:39 PM
Donny Grover's UHL rights are owned by Flint. A trade would have to be made if he is the guy, and i have a feeling he is. You could see a Duhart for Grover deal.
As a Flint fan......this saddens me deeply.
Posted by: Steve | August 28, 2006 at 10:12 PM
Blake Stewart to play for Chiel in Chicago this coming season.
Posted by: Greg | August 29, 2006 at 08:55 AM
In regards to rookies -- the minimum is four, I believe -- you have to have that many in the lineup. You aren't exempt if one gets called up. Worst case, they'd grab some shmoe out of the stands and sit him on the bench.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 29, 2006 at 10:16 AM
The two oldest minor league hockey teams working together. Kind of fitting.
Posted by: Tony E | August 29, 2006 at 10:54 AM
They could at least throw in some chocolate bars.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 29, 2006 at 11:07 AM
hunt would be an ok pickup, good offense but nothing bruising. grover would fit the bill the best from what i see on the bears roster. hope gabby doesnt hold any ill feelings for his former bosses or we might get the shaft on this one!
Posted by: chuckitt | August 29, 2006 at 05:23 PM