I guess I didn't know there was a question about it, but apparently mascot Icy D. Eagle will, in fact, be back for the Komets' first season in the new International Hockey League. I'm not sure this will help either the toughness or goaltending voids, but at least I can reasonably assume there will still be a Nutcracker dance with a tutu come the holidays.
This will be his 14th season with the team. It says Icy is 16; that's only 21 years younger than defenseman Guy Dupuis.
In case you're wondering, it is true that Icy began his career with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles for two years, before making his Fort Wayne appearance in a 1994 All-Star Game. He returned to Fort Wayne for the playoffs and became a permanent fixture after the Golden Eagles disbanded.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Dang it!!!
I had my vote in for Enema Man...
Marty Magers? Is it a possibility? Doesn't someone all ready have his rights in this league? Possible trade coming?
How many veterans do we have at this point...how many can we have? Is it 7? Will we sign more? Are we done going after possible impact guys? Or may we see 1 or 2 more guys come in before camp?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | October 01, 2007 at 09:03 PM
Yea, I heard Port Huron wants to trade Magers for Kukulka.
Posted by: lovelost | October 01, 2007 at 09:39 PM
Maybe Magers can be the annual fight on New Years guy.
Posted by: lovelost | October 01, 2007 at 09:40 PM
I don't think we would or should give up Kukulka for him. Just my opinion.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | October 01, 2007 at 10:31 PM
If anything, it would probably be for money. If its true.
Posted by: Junior | October 01, 2007 at 10:48 PM
We are trading him for cash...not Kukulka.
Posted by: KometsFan | October 01, 2007 at 11:13 PM
Then I say....go for it!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | October 01, 2007 at 11:28 PM
i havent heard a thing about captain caveman. anyone?
Posted by: chuckitt | October 01, 2007 at 11:32 PM
any thoughts on the komets marathon that was on sunday on 57?
it needs to happen more often if you ask me!!
Posted by: jason | October 01, 2007 at 11:51 PM
The K's should see what Monette can do first. This kid had impressive stats in college. Hopefully they carry over in the pros...and besides, why is everyone freaking out? Degagne is only inactive until next month. If longer then yes explore the option of someone else out there, but I think we can survive without him for just one month people. Stop geting riled up about the backup goaltending issue...
Posted by: J-Rid | October 01, 2007 at 11:54 PM
No one is freaking out JRID....Holy Crap Relax MAN.
If I remember right, the talk on Degagne was that he might not even play this season at all and that the K's top priority was to find another top tier goalie. Reiter might work out fine, but is anyone that sure about him? I would feel much better with some insurance in the goal this year. We don't have Frenchy for 72 games this year. The kid from the SPHL is really nothing more than emergency help in case we need someone due to injury. Not really suited for this situation considering the plan was to have 2 solid guys with "AA" experience.
Justin brought it up, and no one freaked out.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | October 02, 2007 at 12:23 AM
Doesn't Captain Caveman have a new tv show this fall? I hope he is not in ornge and black this year.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | October 02, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Magers would be a nice pickup for cash considerations. I don't think we need to be trading any goal scorers for him however.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | October 02, 2007 at 07:17 AM
What about Jason Tapp he would be a good pick up. He just cleared waivers. He is a idiot alot of times but when his game is on look out.
Posted by: Paul D | October 02, 2007 at 07:26 AM
I loved the marathon and totally agree they should do it more often. I love watching the old days of Komet hockey, cause I was old enough to remember the fun, but to young to remember alot of the games. How great was it to see Fletch skating again!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | October 02, 2007 at 07:37 AM
I think Tapp signed in the CHL somewhere.
Posted by: Junior | October 02, 2007 at 07:58 AM
seriously it took me like 5 minutes to get the nutcracker....never felt dumber
glad to see Icy back. I can't wait for Komet Hockey
My wife bought all the orange hair coloring at meijer. get it now while you can cause you won't find it when you need it during playoffs
Posted by: IcyKometFan84 | October 02, 2007 at 08:32 AM
Why can't we have real hockey in Fort Wayne. This just all seems bush league to me. I would rather spend a little more money and watch a quality game in Chicago or Detroit or even Columbus. Notre Dame is not that far away either.
Posted by: Paul D | October 02, 2007 at 08:58 AM
It doesn't matter, since Cohny will be too busy with his Halo 3 headset on during home games.
Posted by: Turner | October 02, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Anyone who considers Notre Dame to be great hockey deserves to watch it for a full season.
Posted by: Keith | October 02, 2007 at 10:04 AM
really i went to western michigan and college hockey is just what it is, college hockey. some guys just fill roster spots. the talent level is below that of the sphl. ihl hockey isnt crap, its what it is, minor league hockey. if you dont lilke it then dont come, spend that extra few dollars(which really is around 50 or more minimum per game) and go to detroit or chicago. if you dont like minor league hockey , why are you blogging on here?? this is the hockey we can afford and have leaned to like it, so leave us alone.
Posted by: chuckitt | October 02, 2007 at 10:28 AM
I have grown up in Fort Wayne following the K's since I was little. I thought this was a board to voice your views good or bad on the Komets. I loved the Komets when I was younger. But it is hard to love something and not have them love you back. I am not trying to knock down the K's. If you want to spend your hard earned money and support the minor league hockey scene in Fort Wayne thats great. What do you really get in return?
Posted by: Paul D | October 02, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Minor league hockey in Fort Wayne. Do you want door prizes?
Posted by: Junior | October 02, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Everyone is freaking out in that we MUST sign another goalie TODAY or else were going to horrible this year. That is the mood and you know it. Christ, give the owners some time, they will bring someone in, I don't care who it is I just want the puck to drop!!!!!!....
Posted by: J-Rid | October 02, 2007 at 11:32 AM
" I would rather spend a little more money and watch a quality game in Chicago or Detroit or even Columbus."
Have a nice trip! Bye now.
Posted by: whywhywhy | October 02, 2007 at 11:37 AM
I guess the only thing I would want is a quality hockey club. Quality players that go to the NHL and new owner ship. To bad the Frankes owe money to some AHL clubs. That's why we don't have a affilate. Single A hockey is a great thing to spend your money on.
Posted by: Paul D | October 02, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Here we go again.
Posted by: Greg | October 02, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Whats the goal song for this year? When is the toughness coming? We should be in the AHL!! Let's see....the Frankes owe money to the Players Assoc., Icy should be replaced by a Ostrich...am I missing anything? Oh yeah, we pay AHL prices for tix.
Posted by: Junior | October 02, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Why do people feel the need to plant a flag on the blog and announce that they are not renewing tickets or that their hard earned money is better spent elsewhere? Do you want a ribbon or a rubber bracelet? Nobody cares about your financial choices. You are not getting a badge of honor for cancelling your season tickets. Be gone quickly and quiety.
Posted by: whywhywhy | October 02, 2007 at 11:55 AM
A trip to Chi-town this weekend is costing me around 500 bucks for a hotel and tix and everything else. Very reasonably priced......My season tix for two to the K's are 750.
Posted by: Junior | October 02, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Yeah, but...Halo 3.
Posted by: Turner | October 02, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Hey, I got a letter from a reader today who called me a "hack" said I should "make like a tree and get out of town" and that because I cover the Colts for the JG, I'm obligated to pick them to win every time. He also said he thought Ben Smith was bad until he read me. So, remember, as bad as you might feel with the new IHL, it could be worse, you could have me covering the team. Oh, wait. Shoot.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | October 02, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Well thats cool. I guess I need to worship the K's on here or don't say anything at all. I was not trying to be a jerk. Why does everyone get some defensive on here. I was just trying to state my opinion.
Posted by: Paul D | October 02, 2007 at 01:28 PM
Let's face it guys and gals, the caliber of hockey in Fort Wayne is much lower than it used to be. Anyone that watched the games on Sunday can attest to that. Sure, we would all rather watch a game in Chicago or Detroit, but most do not have the time or the money to do so. I support the K's because they are good kids who play for a love of the game more so than money. Let's just quit the belly aching and support the team. As always, we will have good goaltending when necessary, just enough toughness, a good mascot, great fan support, and ticket prices that are too expensive that we will all still pay for. GO K'S
Posted by: Shane | October 02, 2007 at 01:55 PM
Paul, the only reason why people are making a fuss about what you said is because it is not new...People have been doing this on this board for a long time now, and it gets old and no one cares if someone feels like the komets are not up to par with what some people hope or wish for.
People come to this board to discuss NEWS about the komets and the arguments about how bad the komets have become ever since the UHL is old and overdone for the regulars.
But in his defense we do not have a page for the crying and moaning where former or disgruntled fans can go and just have at it.
Oh as for Icy, yea he can stick around...he is way better then that Slappy piece of crap Kzoo has. ;)(he basically does nothing but skate around how boring)
Posted by: Andy | October 02, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Paul, if the new IHL doesn't work out, then I'll agree w/ you, but atleast give it a chance before you pass judgement.
I would rather have a higher league hockey, but at what expense? And I know I don't have 5 million to purchase and run a team, do you?
Posted by: Junior | October 02, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Like I said my bad. For now on I will worship the Single A and/or AA Komets. Or just won't say anything at all. I can't wait to see Icy at the games. He is so fun to watch. I also like the Jeep girls the are so pretty. How is that?
Posted by: Paul D | October 02, 2007 at 02:33 PM
Fairly lame to be honest.
Posted by: Junior | October 02, 2007 at 02:37 PM
You know, I've tried to keep quiet. But, I work for Bill Franke at KK, I know how hard the Frankes work to put a quality product on the ice, people just continually rip the Frankes. I love working for Bill, and I see how hard the Frankes work to put a team on the Ice, folks its not cheap, and if you wanna put up the millions and millions of dollars to run a franchise..go for it...but I'm happy with the product tha we get for the money that is spent. Be happy with what is put out on the Ice. Thats all im saying..now can we please drop the puck..GO KOMETS
Posted by: Mark | October 02, 2007 at 02:43 PM
The caliber of hockey in Fort Wayne is lower but not lower than last year or the years before. The IHL is AA hockey right now and it will possibly be thay way for a few years to come. Does everyone think that this team doen't want AAA hockey? That is why they made the change this year. They are building up to that level. It is funny how everyone bashes the ownership and the league but it is not your money on the line. If you want AAA hockey now then start your own team and see how long you would last paying all that travel cost. If your not happy the go to watch some place else. Most of us on here are sick of the complaining.
Posted by: wingmnn | October 02, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Mark,
You are a lucky man to work for one of the Franke Brothers. I have known them for many years and they have always been very good and generous to my wife and I.
One year when I was more active with helping the team with on ice promos and behind the scenes stuff I saw the HUGE dry erase board listing EVERY sponsor, advertiser, promo, etc. and the status of each one of those items which numbered in the hundreds.
It was quite clear that board was the results of several months of hard work by Michael, David, Scott, Rick and others. Needless to say, I was impressed.
For those folks who complain about the hockey not being "AAA" level....it still takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be able to put a team on the ice and without everyone one of those sponsors, there likely would not be a team at all.
BTW, I was on the Blackhawks web site the other day....their ticket prices range from about $30 to $280 day of game. The rinkside first row seats are $11,250 for the season....for one person.
8 more days and counting.....
Posted by: Bob | October 02, 2007 at 03:06 PM
I told you I was done complaining. Seems like there is some toughness on the blog. Wondering if the Frankes will call some of you guys up to try out. Go Komet's. I can get used to being supportive.
Posted by: Paul D | October 02, 2007 at 03:09 PM
Bob,
You have no idea how much Bill has changed my life for the better. And you know what he didn't have to hire me a year ago, but he did. He even came to my wedding in May. Bill, well hell, the whole Franke family are great people. Awesome family they have, and all i see is people ripping them. I'm done now..thanks Frankes for keeping the Komets going.
GO KOMETS
Posted by: Mark | October 02, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Morency made the Bridgeport team. Im really suprised.
Posted by: lovelost | October 02, 2007 at 09:53 PM
I'm not surprised at all, he is all heart, he busted his butt last year..good for him
classy guy to..
Posted by: Mark | October 02, 2007 at 10:18 PM
I am glad that Morency is getting his shot at the AHL. Other moves of interest in the AHL, Chris McAllister (D) made the Hershey roster. Also KORY KARLANDER & LUKE STAUFFACHER were released from the Chicago Wolves training camp.
Posted by: Shawn | October 02, 2007 at 11:43 PM
Paul D,
Every one of your posts is on the money.
Posted by: Dsigruntled Fan | October 03, 2007 at 11:04 PM