Ice Chips 06'-07'

Ice Chips has moved. Bookmark it, baby.

Salutations, loyal readers of Ice Chips.

The address for this page has changed. Please bookmark the following page and use it in the future: http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/Section?Category=BLOGS11

I would appreciate it if you passed on the change to any interested parties now and in the future.

We'll see you at the new digs.

-- Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Changes on the horizon

Before we go any further, I must let you know that Ice Chips will be undergoing some exciting changes in the near future. On Wednesday, be sure you come to the web site (you should be several times daily, anyway), so you can see what we have in store for you.

Meanwhile, some of the Komets' most hated rivals will not be back in the International Hockey League next season. Robin Bouchard, the longtime over-hyped star of the Muskegon Fury, is going to play for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League; and Tyler Willis, the great agitator from the Kalamazoo Wings, is going to Europe.

I should have linked to this earlier, but those of you wishing to catch up on the status of Jason Baird, the recently signed Muskegon player who was horrifically injured when the lawnmower he was riding exploded, his wife has a blog that is quite emotional: Click here.

And, I've had lot of people ask me, on this blog and elsewhere, how they can get their hockey fix in Fort Wayne this time of year. Well, the best bet is to go to McMillen Ice Arena to check out the league action Wednesdays. There are games at 5:30 and 7 p.m. (Yes, I'm playing. Go Blue!) The playoffs of that league, which features players of various skill levels, begins Aug. 13. There will be an off week and then the championships on Aug. 27.

There also is some good pickup hockey which you can see or participate in, Fridays, at 9:15 p.m.

Come the fall, there will be tons more you can partake in at McMillen. Check out their site by clicking here.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

K's look IHL's best ... so far

I've been giving some thought as to which teams in the International Hockey League look the best so far. Here are the rankings, bearing in mind it's still early in the offseason and this will all drastically change:

1) Fort Wayne: The defending champions have already signed much of their star talent, including Colin Chaulk, Guy Dupuis, P.C. Drouin and Nick Boucher, and coach Al Sims is back. They still need to bring in some more youthful skill players, to replace Mathieu Curadeau and Luciano Aquino, assuming they don't return. But things look really good in Fort Wayne so far.

2) Port Huron: Like the Komets, the Icehawks aren't messing with a good thing. Goalie Larry Sterling is solid. Jamie Carroll, Tab Lardner and Jeff Zehr will light it up offensively. And Jamie Lovell is a nice defenseman.

3) Muskegon: Lots of big moves, lots of new talent, like Frank Littlejohn, Chad Woollard. Losing Jason Baird to a horrific offseason injury -- he was burned badly in an accident -- will hurt the Fury, but there's time for it to recover. Still, I'm waiting for the Fury to take on the physical persona of its coach, former Komet Bruce Ramsay.

4) Flint: I'm not too impressed so far, mostly because the faces are too familiar. With a full season, Justin DePretis should be a star in this league, though, and a healthy Matt Spezza could be a good goalie. But I'm surprised the Generals stuck with Peter South as coach, after he took over on an interim basis last season, and I'm not sure they have any players yet who will scare the opposition offensively or physically.

5) Bloomington: I'm really not sure about the hire of Jarrod Skalde as coach. I just believe, given the region and the arena, this should be a really attractive job, but the PrairieThunder hasn't gone with proven coaches. Still, with new ownership, hopefully this team will pay the bills and actually get and keep some talent. So far, there's some promise, with forwards Don Parsons and Jon Booras, but there's much work to be done for a team that simply must win this season.

6) Kalamazoo: Wow, new rookie coach Nick Bootland has nothing we can even analyze yet. Jason Tapp is a so-so goalie and Glenn Detulleo is  a solid center. Beyond that, the Wings have lots of work to do. It would be sad to see a proud market field another mediocre-to-bad team this season.

• Fort Wayne-native Brian Gratz, a former goaltender with the Komets, has been hired to coach the Jersey Rockhoppers of the  Eastern Professional Hockey League. Last season, he coached the Indiana (Penn.) Ice Miners of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League, which suspended operations when his team was 31-1-0.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Reiter comments on move to England

Kevin Reiter said the decision to leave the Komets to play for the Basingstoke Bison of the Elite League was a difficult one but he's looking forward to the excitement of the move.

"I've never been to Europe and it's something I've wanted to do," he said. "I wanted to parlay my success into an opportunity. It wasn't for the money or because I wanted more playing time. It's just something different and something new."

While playing, he will take classes toward a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Winchester.

"I've had friends that played (in Europe) and old coaches who have said, 'Oh, you've got to get over there and try it if you can,'" Reiter said, adding he turned down a couple of offers, including one from a team in France.

Reiter liked that the adjustment wouldn't be too drastic, going to an English-speaking country, close enough for his family to visit.

So what does this mean for the Komets? Expect Nick Boucher, who was the goalie when the Komets captured the Turner Cup, to get the bulk of the playing time, even though the team hasn't ruled out finding a goalie to alternate with him. Boucher, by the way, played a season with Basingstoke.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Reiter not returning to K's

Kevin Reiter, who was selected as the International Hockey League's Goaltender of the Year, will not return for a second season with the Fort Wayne Komets.

He has opted to play in England, according to general manager David Franke.

"We're disappointed," Franke said. "We kept in contact with Kevin, and he had a very good offer in front of him from us. But playing overseas is something Kevin has wanted to do for the last two or three years, and with the season he had with us last year, his value was at the highest point it could be and he wanted to parlay that into a job in Europe."

Reiter couldn't be reached for comment.

Despite his impressive regular-season numbers -- he was 32-10-4 with a 2.34 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage and eight shutouts -- Reiter was not in net when the Komets won the Turner Cup. Nick Boucher, who split time with Reiter during the regular season, won the final three games of the playoffs, as Fort Wayne recovered from a 3-1 series deficit to Port Huron.

Boucher has already re-signed with Fort Wayne for the coming season and will, probably, get the bulk of the work.

"We'll find someone we have a lot of faith in. They'll be the backup and this elevates Nick into the No. 1 position, and I doubt we'll be in a rotation system," Franke said. "But it does depend on what we find and there may be an alternating system again."

Meanwhile, defenseman Kevin Hansen has signed a two-year contract to play for Tulsa of the Central Hockey League, Franke confirmed.

No gold star for this one

You really can have too much of a good thing and they're about to prove that in Kalamazoo, Mich. They've been coloring the ice for years at Wings Stadium -- green on St. Patrick's Day, pink on Valentine's Day -- and now they're going, um, gold.

OK, I know this makes me a grinch since this is raising money for a great charity -- click here to read about it -- but I'm not lovin' it, pardon the pun. When it was just green ice, it was really cool. I thought pink ice, with hearts for faceoff markers, was was taking away from the uniqueness.

Now, this is going overboard. There are other ways to raise money and still get the McDonald's sponsorship. But, it'll be fun to see them skating on yellow ice. Hopefully, they know not to eat it.

By the way, the Wings signed goalie Jason Tapp.

• Interesting story out of the Flint Journal: The Generals are bringing in a hypnotherapist to work with the team. OK, I've heard worse ideas, but it's interesting that they let this go public before they signed most of their team. I wonder if it would give some players, those a little less, oh, adventuresome, pause.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Warner returns

Hey, it's me, Ben Smith, Justin Cohn's stunt double.  I'm making a guest appearance today on Ice Chips to pass along a couple pieces of news:

* Brandon Warner has re-upped for another season with the Komets. The Carroll High School grad scored six goals and 13 assists last season as a rookie defenseman and improved all season long, culminating with some solid play in the playoffs.

* In addition to Warner, the Komets also signed three players out of the Quebec juniors system, including a couple of solid offensive standouts.  Jean-Phillippe Roy-Vallieres scored 54 goals and 118 points last season and Samuel Bergeron put up 52 goals and 112 points for the Quebec entry in the QJAHL.

The Komets also added center Maxime Gravelle, who saw action in seven games for Vaudreuil of the QJAHL, scoring two goals and eight points.

-- Ben Smith, The Journal Gazette       

   

K's should have tryouts

So, I have a suggestion for the Komets. Tell me what you think.

I think the Komets should have open tryouts for hockey players in the Fort Wayne area. Now, before you start calling me crazy, I'm not suggesting, necessarily, that there is actually another Colin Chaulk lurking in our territory, although, you never know.

But I believe it would actually benefit the Komets to know what kind of talent, if any, is available in the Fort Wayne area. Why? Because of all those many times the team has to play short of a full lineup because of injuries or emergencies that come up.

I think it would behoove the team, should they suddenly find themselves down a man hours before a game in Flint, Mich, that they can call Player X or Player Y, get them under contract and have a warm body for the bench. Maybe they won't be all that good, but a decent skater is better than no skater. Hey, the equipment manager has had to play in the past, so you never know when you might need a guy, and it would save the hassle of trying to track someone down from Saskatchewan or someplace like that.

And if nothing else, it would be good public relations locally, a lot of fun for the many recreational players around to town (no, I'm not including myself in that list), and would perhaps give the team some extra players for those optional practices which are often so worthless.

Besides, I have seen a few guys out at McMillen Ice Arena who wouldn't look completely out of place with the likes of the International Hockey League.

Hey, just an idea, as I'm hanging out down in Terre Haute at Colts training camp.

• In less happy news, the wife of former Komets player Terry McDougall has died. Click here to see the obituary.
• The Flint Journal took a few weeks off from the incessant bashing of Fort Wayne, which was kind, given all the sad news in the local hockey community in recent weeks. (See previous posts if you don't know what I'm referring to with that.) But the newspaper was back at it in this entry: Click here, where the Journal also suggests the IHL should have an All-Star Game.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Ex-Komets are everywhere

Former Komets player Mike Butters, who played for the team from 1989 to 1991, was named general manager of the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals. The selection was made by the Admirals' parent club, the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.

• Former Komets forward Blake Stewart, the journeyman of the International Hockey League, has re-signed with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder.
• Aaron Wilson, a short-timer with the Komets, has signed with Muskegon.
• Chris Busby, who spent time with the Komets, has retired.
• Sean Venedam, the popular former Komets forward, is in the blogosphere. Click here to read an entry about recently deceased ex-Komet Rob Guinn.
• For those wanting an update on Jason Baird, the recently signed Muskegon player who was burned over 60 percent of his body when a lawnmower he was riding exploded, click here. To read the news account of what happened, click here.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Hukalo re-signs with Komets

David Hukalo pondered retirement -- no, he doesn't know what he'll do post-hockey -- but a return to the Fort Wayne Komets for at least one more year was too good to pass up.

Winning a championship last season was too much fun. Having a pain-free body was too delightful.

Why not give it one more go-around?

"Yeah, let's do it one more year and see what happens," Hukalo said, after re-signing with the Komets on his 30th birthday, Monday. "If I go beyond this season will depend on how my body holds up. But last year, I didn't have any major injuries, which was quite a change from the few years before that.  ... If I played, I didn't want to go anywhere else but here. This is home."

Hukalo was selected as the International Hockey League's Best Defensive Forward last season, a year after winning the same honor with the Komets in the United Hockey League. His offensive production en route to regular-season and playoff championships made Hukalo even more valuable to the Komets, who brought him back for his sixth season with the team.

"We expect him to move up and play on the second line," general manager David Franke said. "Due to his breakout season, we know he can do it offensively and defensively. He's an important part of the hockey club, a key to us winning championships."

Hukalo had career highs in goals (20), assists (24) and points (44) in 70 games last season.

His return gives the Komets nine players, including seven from last season -- forwards Hukalo, Colin Chaulk, P.C. Drouin and Konstantin Shafranov, defensemen Guy Dupuis and Kevin Bertram, plus goaltender Nick Boucher.

"That's a bunch of older, veteran guys," Hukalo said, "and to have them back with their winning traits, it's good. They know how to play, how to win, and it's good to have that group back."

The Komets also determined their three-game exhibition schedule: They will play host to the Bloomington PrairieThunder on Oct. 8 at Memorial Coliseum, play at Kalamazoo, Mich., on Oct. 10, then finish a home-and-home series against the Wings on Oct. 11.

Fort Wayne's regular season begins Oct. 17 at Port Huron, Mich.

• Franke said Luciano Aquino, who played last season with the Komets, will attended a prospect camp with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. ... Franke is also still hopeful goalie Kevin Reiter will re-sign with the Komets.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

More shocking news from the IHL; update on Reiter

It's uncanny how bad news always comes in threes. Recently signed Muskegon forward Jason Baird was critically injured in a landscaping accident near Youngstown, Ohio, the Fury said in a statement.

Click here for the team's release. Here's more from Greg Rajan.

This comes less than a week after ex-Komets defenseman Rob Guinn died at 32 in a car accident and former Komets player Hartley McLeod died at 81.

For more uplifting news: I ran into goaltender Kevin Reiter, and he said it's still possible he will return to the Komets to split time with goalie Nick Boucher. Reiter is very interested in playing in Europe, though, but intimated that if he plays in North America, it will be in Fort Wayne.

I'd put the chances of his return at 50 percent.

As for those who keep saying there's some sort of rift between Reiter and Boucher -- no way. When Boucher re-signed with Fort Wayne, one of his first calls was to Reiter, and he hopes the championship pair is reunited.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

More on Guinn, McLeod

The memorial for former Komets player Rob Guinn, who died Saturday at 32, is later today in Ames, Iowa. I was asked to give a eulogy but, unfortunately, was unable to attend. However, I wanted to share with Guinn's many fans the written piece I sent to his wife, Brooke, to be  shared with the attendees at the service. It was one of the more difficult things I've written.

You can read it by clicking here: Download guinn_eulogy.doc

Meanwhile, the services for former Komets player Hartley McLeod, who died Monday at 81, will be Friday, 11 a.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 609 Putnam St., with calling one hour prior.

Calling also goes 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at D.O. McComb & Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Ave.

Click here to read the entire obituary on McLeod, well known in Fort Wayne also as the founder of Hartley's Place restaurant, who was also a linesman in the International Hockey League.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Updates, we've got updates

I have some more updates on the Komets' front.

• The Komets are still hopeful they can sign goaltender Kevin Reiter, who couldn't be reached for comment, but general manager David Franke said he's also getting interest from Europe.
• Forward Mitch Woods has signed with Cincinnati of the ECHL, Franke said.
• Playoff MVP Justin Hodgman has been invited to a second rookie camp by the Minnesota Wild, Franke said, and the Wild now has his NHL rights. If he doesn't stick, he'll probably go back to juniors.
• Right wing Luciano Aquino is trying to get a two-way contract with an NHL team or an AHL contract; in other words, he's trying to play at a higher level than the International Hockey League. "We want him back," Franke said, "but on a scale of 1 to 10, it's probably only a 4 or 5 that it happens."
• The Komets would very much like to get center Mathieu Curadeau back but they haven't had much discussion with his agent. Curadeau, too, would like to play at a higher level.
• The Komets are hopeful to have forward Olivier Legault back, too, but that has stalled somewhat.
• Right wing Evgeny Saidachev has an offer from the Komets, but he's also receiving interest from the Central Hockey League.
• The team has a meeting set up with defenseman Brandon Warner, a Fort Wayne native, and the Komets hope they can sign him soon.
• Defenseman Kevin Hansen is has a meeting set up with the Komets, but I'm hearing he could be CHL bound.
• Defenseman Brent Henley is a question mark; he wants to get a tryout with an NHL team or could wind up in Europe.
• Forward Terry Marchant is unlikely to receive an offer from the Komets.
• Defenseman Ken Dufresne is expected to go to Canadian University.
• THIS ADDED LATE: The Komets are close with David Hukalo, so I expect him to be back.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

K's sign 4, including Dupuis, Boucher

The captain is coming back. The Cup-winning goaltender is, too.

Among the Fort Wayne Komets' four signings Tuesday were longtime defenseman Guy Dupuis, who captained the team to their Turner Cup playoff championship last season, and Nick Boucher, who was the netminder in the last three games as the Komets recovered from a 3-1 series deficit against the Port Huron IceHawks.

The team also signed physical right wing Brad MacMillan and rookie defenseman Danko Mironovic.

For the 38-year-old Dupuis, it will be his 19th season in the professional ranks, his 12th with the Komets. Last season, he tallied 15 goals and 58 points in 69 games and was selected as the International Hockey League's Defenseman of the Year. He took the same honor with the Komets the previous season in the United Hockey League.

Boucher, 27, was 24-2-4 with a 2.32 goals-against average in the regular season, while splitting time with Kevin Reiter, who won the IHL's Goaltender of the Year award. In the playoffs, Boucher went 5-2 with a 2.09 GAA.

"My wife's going to be attending law school in Chicago, so it made sense for both of us to stay in the Midwest," said Boucher, who turned down offers to play in Europe. "It's pretty well known in minor-pro hockey that they treat their players well in Fort Wayne. It was a no brainer and wasn't a hard decision on my part to want to come back."

The Komets are still talking with Reiter about a return, an idea Boucher supports.

"I would love to play with him again," Boucher said. "We both enjoyed having each other as partners. Whether it's Kevin or another guy, with the way the (76-game) schedule is, it's not a bad thing to have two guys who can play. Look at last season, I was out for a month with an injury, so it's good to have another guy you can look to."

Neither Reiter nor general manager David Franke couldn't be reached for comment.

MacMillan, 25, played five games last season with Trois of the semi-pro Ligue Nord Americaine de Hockey, tallying two goals and three points. In 52 games with Missouri of the UHL in 2005-06, he had seven goals, 12 points and 230 penalty minutes in 52 games.

Mironovic, 21, who is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, had seven goals, 22 points and 80 penalty minutes with Vaughan, a junior team, last season.

The Komets have eight players under contract, including forwards Konstantin Shafranov, P.C. Drouin and Colin Chaulk, plus defenseman Kevin Bertram, all of whom were on last season's team.

"As many guys as we can sign from last season's team, the better," Dupuis said. "We had good chemistry in the dressing room and obviously a lot of talent, with good character. To me, the more we can sign from last year, the better. So far so good. I've seen teams that had lots of talent and didn't mesh o the ice, but we had a lot of talent and we meshed. Don't break a good thing.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Funeral and donation information for Rob Guinn

I just got this information from Brooke Guinn, widow of former Komets defenseman Rob Guinn, who died in a car accident Saturday at the age of 32. He is survived by a 5-month-old daughter, Olivia.

There will be a celebration of Rob's life Wednesday at Grandon Funeral in Ames, Iowa, 414 Lincolnway. The phone number there is 515/292-2273. It will be from 5 to 7 p.m., with a short service.

Those attending are asked to bring memories of Rob.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the Rob Guinn Memorial Fund, to support Olivia's future education. Those can be sent to the Leighton Legal Law Firm, 802 N. Clinton Street, Suite 1, Bloomington, Ill., 61701.

On-line condolences and memories of Rob -- they are putting together a scrapbook for Olivia -- can be sent to the family at [email protected].

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

I guess it finally hit me -- pow -- like a Rob Guinn hip-check

I must admit, even though I have to write about death quite often -- more often than you might think, as a sports writer -- I find myself affected today.

The Monday death of Hartley McLeod, who was 81 and had battled Alzheimer's and dementia, was of course sad news. But he wasn't a player in my time here, wasn't of my era, wasn't someone I knew other than a handshake over a steak at his restaurant.

Rob Guinn, however, was my age -- 32. His daughter, Olivia, is 5 months old, while mine is 16 months old.

That hits home.

His wife, Brooke, writing to me, "I have no doubt in my mind that she and I were his last thought," that shook me.

I have received several e-mails and calls from people shocked by Guinn's death, which came Saturday after a car accident in Iowa, after an elderly man ran a stop sign. There aren't too many players I've come across that I feel completely safe in declaring, "Now that was a good guy."

Guinn was one of them.

I recall him leaving practices wearing scrubs because he was taking nursing classes. They called him Gaylord Focker, a reference to "Meet the Parents," because of it. He took it as a compliment. He had his toughness questioned by readers on this very blog, as incredulous a thing as anything I've read, considering he didn't miss a single game in two seasons here.

I guess it didn't quite settle into my brain Sunday night, as I tried to find out what happened, where it happened, who might know about it. But after things cooled down in the office today, I started remembering some things about Guinn -- how he was always a go-to guy for comment in the locker room because of his maturity, how many appearances he made in the Fort Wayne community, that great play he made to set up Jonathan Goodwin for the Game 7 winner in the 2005 semifinals.

Sad stuff.

The truest testament to Guinn I can give you comes from the readers, some of whom are former teammates and reporters who covered him. Check out the comments section of the last few posts and you'll see.

Meanwhile, for all those who asked how to get in touch with the family with well-wishes, I will pass them along when I have them, so check back.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Former Komet McLeod dies, while K's still mourn Guinn

Hartley McLeod, who played for the Komets from 1954 to 1958, died Monday at the age of 81, his son said.

McLeod, who went on to be a linesman in the old International Hockey League for 10 years, founded the upscale restaurant Hartley's, 4301 Fairfield, Ave., in 1983.

He was at the Covington Manner Health and Rehabilitation Center, said his son, Hartley McLeod Jr., and died of natural causes following a battle with Alzheimer's and dementia.

"Oh, (hockey) was very important to him," said McLeod Jr. "He was born and raised in Selkirk, Manitoba, and he left when he was 15 years old to go play junior (hockey) in Western Canada. That was his life until (he stopped refereeing). All his best friends were hockey players. Gordie Howe was one of his closest friends."

A left wing, McLeod's best season came in 1955-56, when he tallied 28 goals and 66 points in 60 games.

McLeod's death came two days after 32-year-old former Komets defenseman Rob Guinn died in a car accident in Greene County, Iowa, when another driver, 65-year-old Jon Anderson, ran a stop sign and collided with him, according to the Des Moines Register.

Guinn is survived by a 5-month-old daughter, Olivia, and wife Brooke.

Brooke sent this e-mail to The Journal Gazette:

"If there's one thing I can say about Rob, it is that he loved Olivia and me with all his heart. He was such a wonderful father and husband, taking care of Olivia during the day while I was at work. No matter where we went Rob was carrying her, playing with her and most of all loving her. I have no doubt in my mind that she and I were his last thought. I will miss him more than words can say and am so thankful for the outreach of support I have gotten from all of the organizations Rob has played with, fans, and former teammates. It is such a blessing to know he was loved so much. He lives on through Olivia and me."

Brooke said a trust fund will be set up for Olivia, with details to follow.

Guinn was best known for his toughness -- despite several injuries, he didn't miss any games in two seasons with the Komets from 2004 to 2006 -- and for setting up Jonathan Goodwin's goal in overtime of Game 7 of the 2005 United Hockey League semifinals. That completed a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit.

McLeod is survived by wife Wanda, daughter Pamela Downs, son John Getts and McLeod Jr., who also went on to referee professionally.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Former Komet Rob Guinn dies -- updated

Rob Guinn, a defenseman with the Fort Wayne Komets from 2004 to 2006, has died according to sources.

Guinn, 32, died in a car accident, confirmed Kevin St. Pierre, who was a teammate of Guinn's for two seasons in Fort Wayne and last season with Tulsa of the Central Hockey League.

Guinn's internet page at Facebook.com included a message from his wife, Brooke, reading: "It is with great sadness that I let you know that Robert James Guinn passed away Saturday. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend and will truly be missed."

Guinn tallied 15 goals and 68 points in 156 games with Fort Wayne. He finished last season with Bloomington of the International Hockey League.

He was selected in the eighth round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, by the Edmonton Oilers.

According to the Des-Moines Register, Guinn died after another driver failed to stop at an intersection, causing a collision, and Guinn's car landed in a ditch.

Guinn was one of the nicest players I've come across here, not to mention one of the toughest and most underrated. This is sad news.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Shafranov, Bertram re-sign

Veterans Konstantin Shafranov and Kevin Bertram will return to the Komets.

“We are retaining two important players for our defending Turner Cup team with the signing of Shafranov and Bertram,” Komets’ general manager David Franke said in a statement. “Once both players got re-acclimated to the IHL style of play they were major contributors to our overall success.”

Shafranov, 39, returned to the Komets last season after seven years in the Russian Elite League. He posted 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points in 71 games. Next season will be the winger’s 18th pro year and fifth in Fort Wayne. He was the IHL Rookie of the Year in 1995-96, leading the Komets with 46 goals.

Bertram, 31, is returning for his sixth season. The defenseman appeared in 74 games, registering 15 assists while accumulating 271 penalty minutes. He was named the Komets’ Unsung Hero.

The two join center Colin Chaulk and winger P.C. Drouin as returnees for the upcoming season.

-- LaMond Pope

Best of the best

I'm on vacation right now, but fear not -- I wouldn't leave you without a topic to ponder.

Today, I give you the list of the best Komets players of the past nine seasons. (That encompasses all of the Komets time at the AA level of hockey.) No particular criteria here. Some were picked because of skills showed over long periods of time, others over short periods of time. Some were great leaders. Some great agitators.

10) Kevin St. Pierre -- All the guy did was win. Well, except a championship.

9) Frederic Bouchard -- Maybe not reliable defensively, but he was an offensive dynamo from the blue line.

8) Michel Massie -- Great leadership, good agitator, decent scorer, and he gave it his all every shift.

7) Bobby Stewart -- Streaky, but he was an offensive machine.

6) Luciano Aquino -- Almost every shift, he makes an impact.

5) Sean Venedam -- Whether at center or  wing, he was money.

4) Kelly Perrault --  A great scoring defenseman, who didn't get enough credit for his defense.

3) Guy Dupuis -- Summed up in one word: Reliable.

2) Keli Corpse -- Had the ability to take over games on his own.

1) Colin Chaulk -- Longevity, leadership and, most of all, production.

Honorable mentions: Jonathan Goodwin, Konstantin Shafranov, Doug Teskey, Brent Gretzky, David-Alexandre Beauregard, Tom Lawson, Nick Boucher, Dustin Virag, Dave Lemay, P.C. Drouin, Justin Hodgman, Mathieu Curadeau, Kevin Schmidt, Jim Logan, Troy Neumeier, Jason Goulet, Kelly Hurd, Bruce Richardson, David Hukalo

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Chin story

Click here to read Steve Warden's story on Roy Chin. And there's some news on Justin Hodgman, the Komets' playoff MVP, in here.

Roy Chin profiled

Although the retirement party's been held and Roy Chin has hung up his skates for the last time, there will be a profile of the popular papa of former Komets captain Colin Chin in Friday's Journal Gazette.

Roy Chin sat down with me and talked candidly about his fight with cancer, and looks back on a coaching and volunteer career that got started in the early '60s.

-- Steve Warden, The Journal Gazette

Durdin leaving

Click here to read Mike Rothstein's story on Sergei Durdin's departure.

Reynolds moves on

Komets forward Matt Reynolds is taking his services elsewhere.  The Excel Hull Stingrays of the bmibaby Elite League has signed the 27-year-old forward for the upcoming season.

Reynolds scored 19 goals and 33 assists during a record-setting regular season and eight points in 13 games on the way to the Turner Cup, and was a solid presence at the offensive end particularly.

-- Ben Smith    

Look at the rivalries

I'm on vacation right now, but fear not -- I wouldn't leave you without a topic to ponder.

Today, I give you the list of the Komets' top rivals from the past nine seasons. (That covers the team's time in the AA level of hockey.)

10) Asheville Smoke -- There were some memorable, physical games against the short-lived team from the south.

9) Missouri River Otters -- They weren't always the most exciting games, but the River Otters and Komets had good, close, defensive-minded games that would have you afraid you'd miss the pivotal goal.

8) Muskegon Fury -- Fort Wayne fans love to hate some of the the Fury's skill players, who through the years have had a penchant for diving and whining. And there have been some good games, too.

7) Binghamton Icemen -- Remember that great playoff series in 2000? Too bad the Icemen departed this level not long afterward.

6) Port Huron Icehawks -- Anyone else think the Komets' comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to take the Turner Cup from the Icehawks' clutches will be the start of a good rivalry? Me too.

5) Flint Generals -- These teams have hooked up for some nice melees. And there have been some nice off-ice incidents, including some Generals officials allegedly measuring the Komets' sticks to check their legality, then calling for referee inspections during the game. For years, the Komets have responded by guarding all their equipment up there.

4) Kalamazoo Wings -- Geographically, this should be a monster rivalry. Especially since the Fort Wayne contingent is what gets Wings Stadium rocking. But the Komets have dominated and there's seldom any heat. Could we get a good line brawl to change all that? Olivier Legault, make that happen, please.

3) Elmira Jackals -- Yup, they brawled, especially when Robbie Nichols was with the Jackals and Pat Bingham coached the Komets. And they always seemed to be on the ice for strange happenings, like when Joe Franke, the equipment manager, was forced to play for the Komets. It had the makings of a great rivalry except the United Hockey League brass kept messing it up by scheduling too few games between the teams.

2) Quad City Mallards -- It fizzled over the years, especially once Brian Curran started coaching those boring Mallards teams, but these teams were just so good and kept meeting in the playoffs. There was hatred, even between front-office types.

1) Rockford IceHogs -- Didn't you just love to hate the way they played? They celebrated every goal like it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Steve Martinson was always stirring stuff up on and off the ice. They were always running the Komets' goalies. C'mon, admit it, you hated them.

Some wild and crazy guys

I'm on vacation right now, but fear not -- I wouldn't leave you without a topic to ponder.

Today, I give you the list of the wackiest personalities of the Komets' past nine seasons.  (That encompasses all of the Komets' time at the AA level of hockey.)

10) Bobby Stewart -- He sure knew how to get the crowd going, playing the game with some flair. And off the ice, he kept things loose.

9) Colin Chaulk -- Believe it or not, he's got some pizazz. He likes to throw expletives into just about any interview, which makes my job difficult but also fun.

8) Mike McKay -- Lots of talent. Lots of goals. Lots of off-ice antics. No one seems to know where he is now either, which is strange.

7) Tommy Bolduc -- One strange cat. And he could barely skate.

6) Mario Larocque -- He had the stylish fauxhawk and was good for some laughs off the ice, even after he scored into his own net during an All-Star Game at the Coliseum. "Hey, a goal is a goal in my book," he quipped.

5) Lance Galbraith -- A motormouth on and off the ice. Fun to cover. A pain to play against.

4) Bruce Richardson -- Ask Richardson about the weather and clear your calendar for at least an hour. He loves to talk, about anything, especially if it's his desire to win a Cup. Good a guy as you'll come across.

3) Frederic Bouchard -- Lots of flair on the ice, he was sometimes too concerned with stats and not enough with winning. He once berated me for pointing out his minus rating instead of his assists. But a darn good player anyway.

2) Pokey Reddick -- Had I been here in early 1990s and witnessed the stories firsthand, he'd surely top the list. But he gets second place for toning down his act. Reddick was very superstitious. And weird instances followed him. We're still not entirely sure what ailment forced him out of the 2002 game that cause equipment manager Joe Franke to make an entrance into the net.

1) Mitch Woods -- I still haven't gotten over the story about Woods' father telling me about Mitch going to a "horse doctor" for treatment after an injury. Even funnier: Mitch keeps telling me, "It wasn't a horse doctor. It was a faith healer." Yep, that changes everything. But he's a riot and heckuva a lot of fun to watch on the ice.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Coaching stuff

Justin Cohn's stunt double here, Ben Smith, filling in while Justin takes a few well-deserved days off ...

Anyway, here's what I've got:  Although the Atlanta Thrashers are still denying it, Canadian media sources are reporting that former Komet and Chicago Wolves coach John Anderson is about to be hired as the Thrashers new coach.

This is welcome and long overdue news for a guy who, like fellow ex-Komet and NHL coach of the year Bruce Boudreau, has paid some long and profitable dues behind the bench in the minors.  Can't believe a guy with Anderson's resume hasn't gotten a shot before now.

Also, the Bloomington Prairie Thunder has hired 37-year-old Jarrod Skalde as its new head coach. Skalde, who played parts of nine seasons in the NHL in a 17-year playing career, served as player-assistant for Bloomington for the first half of last season.

-- Ben Smith   

Best defensive forwards

I'm on vacation right now, but fear not -- I wouldn't leave you without a topic to ponder.

Today, I give you the list of the best defensive forwards of the Komets' past nine seasons. (That encompasses all of the Komets' time at the AA level of hockey.)

10) David-Alexandre Beauregard -- Sure, he scored tons. But his speed was a great defensive asset.

9) Keli Corpse -- Smart hockey player.

9) Adam Lewis -- A great role player, he'd mix it up with the best of skaters.

8) Bruce Richardson -- Lots of heart, blocked lots of shots.

7) J.C. Ruid -- Props for short-handed goals.

6) Chad Grills -- Forgotten man here, but he was pretty good in an awful season.

5) Jim Logan -- You may have gotten by him, but he'd make you pay for it.

4) Jason Goulet -- What was he doing at this level?

3) Sean Venedam -- Good coverage and great on faceoffs.

2) David Hukalo -- You don't notice him much. Too bad, because he's awesome.

1) Colin Chaulk -- Opposing forwards hate matching up against him.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Congrats to Gabby

Congratulations to former Komets player and coach Bruce Boudreau. He won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the Year.

Drouin's back in Fort Wayne -- for good

P.C. Drouin has had a home in Fort Wayne for years, so I figured his re-signing with the Komets was because of comfort and convenience.

It turns out it's more than that -- he's linking the future of his hockey career to this town, to the Fort Wayne Komets.

He just likes the place so darn much.

"It was a very easy decision," Drouin said, after re-signing with the Komets on Thursday. "I wanted to come back and that was my plan the whole way. I had such a great year and want a chance to repeat that. I want to finish my career here. I knew that a long time ago. But now it's definitely more certain. You won't see me going anywhere (else)."

Asked how long he'll continue to play, Drouin plans to take it "year to year."

A former NHL player with the Boston Bruins, this will be his fourth season with the Komets since 2004. After starting the season in Europe, he joined the Komets last November and was a key component in sparking them to regular-season and playoff championships. He had 23 goals and 74 points in 62 regular-season games, then three goals and seven points in 13 playoff games.

Drouin, 34, recently became an agent with Three Rivers Insurance Group.

He and center/assistant coach Colin Chaulk are the only players signed for next season, though head coach Al Sims will be back, too.

• The Flint Generals have given their head-coaching job to Peter South, who was one of the three assistants that ran the team after Kevin Kerr was fired last season. South is a former scout with the Komets, who coached them in one game and then raided their roster with big contract offers. He did decent job with the Generals, who made the playoffs and lost in the first round, but I'm surprised the team didn't go for someone with a more proven track record. But maybe that team can improve with some stability behind the bench.
• Still no progress on Youngstown's possible entrance to the IHL. Click here to read more. Despite some reports to the contrary, adding the SteelHounds to the IHL's ranks would be great. I would add a new partner that fits well geographically, has a good arena and decent ownership group. And we don't really want to go another season with just six teams, two of them likely bad, do we? I'm not reading to much into the SteelHounds' rift with the Central Hockey League. What kind of morons really thought that travel and possible subsidization of it by the league would work? Youngstown and the IHL makes sense and will work. But someone need to let owner Herb Washington in on the skill of the IHL.
• Welcome back to one of my favorite bloggers -- Greg Rajan -- who was without a team to cover in Corpus Christi, Tex., for what? Ten minutes. He used to be one of those guys who bashed the IHL with no credible evidence, but we here at Ice Chips have whipped him into shape.
• The Chicago Wolves won the American Hockey League's Calder Cup. If Wolves coach John Anderson, the former Komets player who has been the most overlooked coaching prospect in, perhaps, all of sports, doesn't get an NHL job, there is no justice in the sports world. Oh, wait, we already know there isn't.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Drouin back

P.C. Drouin has re-signed with the Komets. I will have more later today.

A look at the new scoreboard

You asked for it, you got it. These are artist renderings of what the new scoreboard at Memorial Coliseum will look like.

Download scoreboardrendering.pdf

There are some important things to realize about these:

1) The top and bottom rectangles will actually be round, 360-degree LCD display ribbon boards. They will be capable of switching from advertising to graphics that correspond with games, such as denoting goals.

2) The design of the advertising panels on the side may change.

3) While it's hard to tell from this, the size difference between this scoreboard and the old one will be very dramatic.

Thanks to the folks at the Coliseum for getting these to me.

• There still has been no announcement out of Muskegon regarding the future of coach Bruce Ramsay, but this makes it sound like he's going to be back. Although the last comment, about "crash and burn" hockey, that sure sounds like a bad choice of words.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Seems like Drouin's coming back

I ran into Colin Chaulk and P.C. Drouin at the Mad Anthonys Charity Classic for Children on Monday. They looked like twins, with their matching black-and-orange golf shirts -- not the best choice for the 90-degree weather, I'd say.

Anyway, I told Drouin fans were abuzz with talk about if and when he would be re-signing with the Turner Cup champion Komets. (For the record, Chaulk is the only player already under contract.)

Drouin said the answers were: "If is probably. When is soon."

I wouldn't buy your jerseys until it's official, but as I've said all along, I'd expect him back.

Meanwhile, I've knocked the International Hockey League and, more critically, it's predecessor, the United Hockey League, countless times in the past. But a couple weeks of covering the Fort Wayne Freedom of the Continental Indoor Football League has taught me the IHL is a more well-oiled machine than I thought.

The Freedom, in case you didn't know, has had ownership changes, coaching changes, payroll issues, and has missed the playoffs. But check this out: The league's best team quit just before the playoffs began, all because Flint, which has an IHL team, didn't show up for a game.

So, knock the Franke family and this league all you want, they do things pretty well and we sometimes forget that.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Soon, they'll be replaying Drouin slapshots at the Coliseum

This just in from Journal Gazette reporter Amanda Iacone: The Memorial Coliseum scoreboard, complete with walking taco animations, will officially be a thing of the past.

A new four-sided video scoreboard will replace the 15-year-old matrix scoreboard this summer.

Allen County will play White Way Sign & Maintenance Co., which is based in Illinois, $1.1 million for the scoreboard, shot clocks and other items. Plus, New York-based HD Group, Inc., will install hockey cameras and video equipment for $182,310.

It will all be installed in August and September.

This means replays are now a possibility, though I wouldn't count on International Hockey League officials utilizing them. This should help the Coliseum's bid to host a NCAA hockey playoffs, too.

Check out Saturday's editions of The Journal Gazette for more on this.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Frenchy looking for help

Former Komets goaltender Kevin St. Pierre is holding a golf outing benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It will be June 14 at Noble Hawk Golf Links in Kendallville.

For those wanting information, call Tim Dykstra at 1-888-GOLF-321.

The fee for a four-person team is $240, which includes greens fees, carts, lunch, dinner and beverages. There will also be gift bags and awards. The tournament will have a 2 p.m. shotgun start.

The tournament coordinators will help individuals looking for a team.

They are also looking for sponsors or prize donations.

JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with juvenile diabetes, which the second most prevalent disease among school-age children.

• Click here to see the latest out of Youngstown on the SteelHounds' possible move to the International Hockey League.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

IHL interested in adding Youngstown

International Hockey League commissioner Paul Pickard told me he is interested in adding the Youngstown (Ohio) SteelHounds to his league's ranks. He will have exploratory talks with the team soon and if the two sides decide to move forward it could happen in time for next season.

"We've had conversations and we'd like to get together face-to-face," said Pickard, whose IHL has six teams, including the Turner Cup-champion Fort Wayne Komets. "Obviously, there are many things that have to be taken into consideration. We're only three weeks away from our annual Board of Governors meeting and our schedule is already completed. ... We would entertain changing it, if it were the right situation. The nice thing is Youngstown is not a start-up franchise. It's been doing business for a few years."

The SteelHounds were booted from the Central Hockey League on Monday for undisclosed reasons and are alleged to be interested in both the IHL and ECHL. Pickard said Youngstown would certainly fit the IHL's geographical framework, which is aimed at cost certainty through reduced travel costs and solid ownership.

Step one for Pickard will be a meeting with owner Herb Washington.

While I've heard for months that the IHL was hoping Youngstown would come to the IHL, Pickard said he's never made any advances toward that team -- until today.

"They weren't really on my radar as a representative of this league," Pickard said. "I was trying to do things the way I'd want to be treated. I don't want to go into another league, one of our competitors, and try to court a team away from it. As far as we were concerned, they were part of the Central Hockey League and I had no contact with the CHL or Youngstown."

Youngstown is about 266 miles from Fort Wayne. The SteelHounds are coached by former Fort Wayne player Kevin Kaminski.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Lucky number 7?

So, you may recall, not so long ago I was predicting that the International Hockey League would have seven teams next season, regardless of what the higher-ups or the schedules said.

To steal a line from John "Hannibal" Smith, I love it when a plan comes together.

As I suspected, the Youngstown SteelHounds are out of the Central Hockey League, though the team claimed it was a shock. Click here to read about it. And there's more from later in the day: Click here.

The SteelHounds are coached by former Komets player Kevin "Killer" Kaminski, who coached in the IHL (with Missouri) when it was the United Hockey League.

Though they won't talk about it on the record, the IHL has coveted Youngstown because of its proximity to the rest of the league. And even though the spin has been the SteelHounds believe they'd be a better fit for the ECHL, it'll make much greater financial sense for them to be in this league.

We'll have to keep our eyes on this situation.

Speaking of the CHL, it's dropping teams left and right. I hope this won't spell the end of one of the best hockey blogs in the minors -- that of Greg Rajan -- who once called me an "Uberblogger."

Though I've read elsewhere it's not official, this site claims that former Flint Generals coach and ex-Fort Wayne player Kevin Kerr will coach in juniors with the Atlanta Knights.

And I'd like to thank those of you who have been rubbing in the Penguins' triple-overtime victory. Sorry to say, your elation won't last. I picked Red Wings in six coming into the series and I'm sticking with it. By the way, how horrible have those goaltender interference calls been? Here's hoping that garbage doesn't trickle down to the minors. Now you're supposed to control your momentum while attacking the net and not brush a goalie's sleeve? Yuck.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

We have a schedule, not much else

Finally, the Fort Wayne Komets released their schedule. Click here to see it. Nothing earth-shattering there. Another 76-game schedule. Yes, they're playing on Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.

I can't believe a six-team league has an unbalanced schedule against opponents, but what's one more game against Flint anyway?

As I reported over the weekend, the season opens Oct. 17 at Port Huron, Mich.

Komets general manager David Franke said today that the team is still having end-of-season meetings with players and that no contract offers have yet been extended. (Center Colin Chaulk is the only player under contract.) Franke said he doesn't expect either defenseman Guy Dupuis or left wing Konstantin Shafranov to retire, so I'd say chances of both returning are good.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Any day now, a schedule would be nice

I know the Komets are still basking in the glory of their Turner Cup championship, but it would be nice if they'd release the schedule the International Hockey League is saying should be available.

According to the IHL web site, the Komets will open their 57th season Oct. 17th at Port Huron, Mich. -- that'll be a rematch of the finals -- and play host to the Flint Generals at Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 18th.

For those of you who thought last season was way too long, given that there's only six teams, well, too bad. We're getting another 76-game campaign in 2008-09. For very limited information, click here.

Meanwhile, former Komets enforcer Jeff Worlton has been named coach of the Tri City Icehawks, a junior team based in Midland, Mich.  Click here to read more, including the note that Greg Puhalski apparently played in the NHL without anyone's knowledge. Note to people at all levels of hockey: Not only is Icehawks a weak nickname, it's getting very overused.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

The Wings have a new coach. (No, not those Wings, silly.)

The Kalamazoo Wings didn't take too long in their search for a new coach, tabbing Nick Bootland on Thursday. A player with the team for the last four seasons, Bootland seems like a solid choice.

"Priding ourselves on the ability to promote (from) within, Nick, who is a proven leader on and off the ice, (led) us to a championship as a player," general manager Wade Welsh said in press release. "We feel he will do the same as our head coach."

The Wings were coached by Brian Curran last season and he was fired shortly before the Wings missed the playoffs.

There have been a lot of surprised fans on the message boards about this one; I'm not sure why, since I'd been hearing talk of this months ago. Regardless, this seems like a solid hire to me. He knows the city, knows the league, knows the players at this level. I've also heard that this hiring will get some of the Wings' better players back on board early this summer.

Besides, the Wings can't do much worse than last season, when they didn't play inspired and, more importantly, didn't play particularly well.

Meanwhile, the Bloomington PrairieThunder and Flint Generals are continuing their coaching searches. It's not set that Bruce Ramsay will be back with the Muskegon Fury, though I expect he will be.

According to The Bloomington Pantagraph, there were only 15 resumes submitted for the PrairieThunder job as of last week. Wow, that number sure seems low to me. That should be a relatively attractive job, given the venue anyway.

Meanwhile, it was brought to my attention today that there is a vocal group of Penguins fans reading Ice Chips. I replied, it had to be a minority. You're not all pulling for the cheapshot Pens are you?

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Can I get a Cup holder with that? Paging Michael, er, Mikael.

First, the Komets break the Turner Cup. Now, the Spokane Chiefs do this to the Memorial Cup.

OK, when I broke something as a kid, I always thought the key was to act like nothing happened, not stand there stunned. They didn't get that message in Spokane, I guess.

But, clearly, they don't make Cups like they used to.

In other strange news, anyone who has followed the Stanley Cup Finals -- Go, Wings! -- has probably noticed that sudden nomenclature changes. When did Mikael, as in Samuellson, get the pronunciation "Michael?" When did Michel Therrien become "Michael Therrien?"

Or is this just Manchester native and esteemed broadcaster Mike Emrick dumbing down the verbiage for us?

A few years back, Komets star Michel Massie decided to go all "Michael" on us. He explained it was for two reasons: A) He was sick of the constant mispronunciations; and B) More importantly, he felt Michel was too feminine in the States.

Coincidentally, Massie played for Therrien in juniors.

OK, don't change your name just because Versus can't get it right. (They don't get anything right.) And certainly don't do it because it's not tough enough. (This is hockey, after all.)

Speaking of the finals, isn't it amazing to see Darren McCarty, he who began his season with Flint of the International Hockey League, two games from hoisting the soon-to-be-broken Stanley Cup? Amazing.

I wonder if he could score on Nick Boucher now.

And every time I see Paul McLean behind the Red Wings' bench, I flash back to the late 90s, him in the Memorial Coliseum locker room, celebrating his victories coaching the Kansas City Blades with a can of beer. I also remember his time with the Quad City Mallards.

I don't remember him breaking the Colonial Cup, though.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Maybe the city should have honored K's more

Driving into the office today, I heard talk on local radio that longtime WOWO broadcaster Bob Chase was shredding the city for not doing enough to honor the Komets' Turner Cup championship.

My initial thought was: Short of a parade or some piece of paper, otherwise known as a proclamation, what is the city supposed to do? This is mid-level minor-league hockey, not justification for a some shut-down-Main Street event. (Let's not forget the Komets had their end-of-season party, attended by about 1,200 people, and that was a hearty celebration.)

But then I read the transcript of what Chase said on the air -- you can read it by clicking here -- and I really thought about it. You know what? Chase is correct.

While I'm not usually one for mayoral proclamations that look good on TV but mean nothing really, the Komets are such a huge part of this city, someone in city government should have taken more notice. Chase was correct when he said, the Komets are the sole reason many people even know about this city.

Think I'm wrong? Next time you go on vacation, wear a Komets hat and you may be surprised how many people ask you about the team. Sure, some of that is Chase ego -- it was his voice that brought the Komets across the nation when WOWO could actually be heard beyond the state line -- but the Komets are known far and wide nonetheless.

So, someone scribble something on a piece of paper. Mayor Tom Henry, send a letter to the Journal Gazette's sports department ([email protected], by the way). Someone needs to take notice, this was a pretty big deal that should be honored.

Big as the Colts' Super Bowl? Uh, no way, Chaser. But pretty big just the same.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

I'm in the inbox crowd

It took a week, but my ears have finally stopped ringing from all the noise at Memorial Coliseum last week. There was some kinda big event going on there. Oh, yeah, that's right -- a Game 7 triple-overtime victory by the Komets.

Anyway, so I spent some time today going through all the e-mails I hadn't had time to answer during the playoffs. Amazing the things you get a kick out of in retrospect.

Some readers were amazed throughout the playoffs at all the negativity being espoused by other readers throughout the season, especially in what was looking like it would be "a magical conclusion." I'm not sure the Komets' Turner Cup victory was magical, but it sure was amazing to watch. Are there still people out there knocking facets of this team? Still not enough enough toughness?

One reader was incensed at my so-called bias against Kevin Reiter. I still can't believe that one. I think Reiter is a tremendous goalie. I praised him many times. I think Nick Boucher is great, too. After Boucher won the last three games of the Komets' finals comeback, does anyone think coach Al Sims was wrong to call him "the best goalie in the league" a few weeks back, even after Reiter won the league's Best Goaltender trophy?

Still, so many readers come at me with the "why aren't the Komets in the AHL" questions? I get it. I really do. Believe me, I'd rather be covering the American Hockey League. But it makes no sense for the Frankes to do it. They're a huge draw in a league that has very little overhead. Why move up, add all the expense (travel, salaries), and lose control of their own roster, when the attendance would only go up marginally if at all? It doesn't make financial sense.

I got lots of notes about the deteriorating fan behavior at the Coliseum. I've noticed it, too. You know what they say: Do unto others as you'd have done unto you.

I got even more notes berating the Komets, the Coliseum and the league for the 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 series formats. I doubt anyone hated it more than me. I had to do all the driving back and forth. I still think it was dumb. But the Komets must have been laughing all the way to the bank, what with the pivotal Game 7, after coming back from a 3-1 series deficit. And the Coliseum must have made a fortune, too, after smartly leaving the concession stands open. Still, here's hoping someone realizes  the wonderfulness of a 2-3-2 format before next April.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

More stories, more pictures, more fun

Click here to read a column by yours truly. And click here for coverage of the end-of-season party, with pictures galore.

Auction results

Click here to see them.

Look out when the Devils come calling

As Justin Hodgman signed all sorts of autographs at the Komets' annual end-of-season party, he divulged he's already received interest from an NHL team: The New Jersey Devils, who would like to see him at a pre-draft combine.

I'm sure he'll get a few more calls before all is said and done.

About 1,200 fans showed up for the annual party and several Ice Chips readers relinquished the cloak of anonymity their screen names provide, so thank you for that.

Hodgman was still glowing from his triple-overtime Turner Cup-clinching goal.

"The celebration in the dressing room was something, but I can't let you in on most of the antics," he said. "But it was amazing. You see that stuff on TV and to be a part of it in person, it was unbelievable."

Asked what players would be back next season, general manager David Franke said: "Colin Chaulk is is under contract and that's all I can tell you about right now."

So, he's intimating others have already agreed.

I've heard Cup-winning goalie Nick Boucher is interested in coming back and, no, that doesn't mean Kevin Reiter couldn't come back, too. Guy Dupuis, David Hukalo and P.C. Drouin are, in my opinion, likely to return. And Olivier Legault, Mitch Woods and Brandon Warner are also strong possibilities, I think.

This doesn't mean these guys are for sure and it doesn't mean some of your other favorites won't be back. We've seen too much happen in recent summers to get caught up in predicting rosters.

Hope you had fun at the party and that you didn't drain your bank account in merchandise.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

C'mon, K's, make it more interesting next time

Whew, I don't know about you, but I feel like I've been run over by a Zamboni.

I still can't believe Game 7 of the finals went to triple overtime. I don't care what level of hockey you're talking about, that's excitement. But just when I was thinking this was one of those wonderful sports moments that anyone would appreciate, a co-worker told me she left the building after two overtimes.

That's weak.

Anyway, the Komets are the Turner Cup champions. As you'll notice in the upcoming coverage, I'm referring to this as the greatest game in Komets history. I've run it by several people who say, there's no question. But if you have any arguments, let's hear about it now. It was the third longest game in franchise history.

I know there is a rumor out there that last night was Bob Chase's last game. As he left the press box, he said, "No way."

I did stop by the locker room on the way out of the building, to see what they were up to. I'm sure the players wouldn't appreciate me sharing most of their celebratory antics -- what happens in the room, stays in the room, as they say -- but here are some things I don't think they'd mind a fly on the wall sharing.

At one point, the players were chanting Nick Boucher's name. Kevin Reiter was clearly happy for him but also told me he wished he'd played better in his last outing. Personally, I don't think he got much help and I told him as much.

Some members of management, and their family, were smoking cigars.

A lot of the older veterans were low key in their celebrations, choosing to stay in the trainer's room or the private shower area. After more than 100 minutes of play that night, they were gassed. But one of the most jubilant was captain Guy Dupuis, who at age 38 has yet to decide if he'll play next season. He was downright giddy. 

There was way more beer in that locker room than champagne. So, it's not exactly like it is in the NHL.

Surprisingly, only one player, Mitch Woods, gave me a hard time about writing the Komets were done after going down 3-1 in the series. Refreshing to cover a team that doesn't take it personally if you knock them.

Fort Wayne native Brandon Warner just had a glow about him. He grew up dreaming of playing for the Komets. To be in that locker room celebrating a championship, of which he was a key part, was probably more like winning a Stanley Cup for him than anyone else.

I did some investigating into the durability of the new Turner Cup, which had the cup part break off when Dupuis hoisted it. Well, that thing was darn heavy, probably about 65 pounds, and the top wasn't fastened together nearly strong enough to deal with the weight distribution. But, it's not the first time the Komets have broken some hardware. The Tarry Cup was broken in the 2003 celebration. The old Turner Cup was broke in 1993, but, supposedly, it was given to the Komets that way. So maybe it's good luck. Or bad luck, if you consider they didn't repeat in those years.

OK, here's some other stuff you might be interested in:

• In case you haven't seen all the great stuff we had today: Click here for my game story. Click here for Ben Smith's column and here for his blog, which you better have bookmarked by now. Awesome slideshow, with audio, can be viewed by clicking here. We'll have more cool stuff in Wednesday's paper, so I would recommend picking up the print edition.
• If you want color reproductions of today's Journal Gazette as a keepsake, you can get information by calling: 461-8377. They'll mail the Turner Cup coverage to your home for $15.
• The annual season-ending party and jersey auction will be Wednesday at the Coliseum Expo at 6:30 p.m. Season-ticket holders and kids get in free; all others get in for $5.

On a more personal note, I want to thank all the readers for visiting Ice Chips this season. I won't get into specifics, but readership has been through the roof. I love that people around the league are making this their place for news and banter. I appreciate you all keeping the discussion witty and polite. As  one of the oldest blogs in minor-league hockey, and as the longest continuously running blog in the IHL, we take pride in all the goings on here and not bringing you fair-weather coverage.

I will continue to keep Ice Chips updated throughout the summer on a regular basis. But, thankfully, I'd like to take some time off here and there. If I don't put any new posts up, please, feel free to start some topics of your own in the comments section. Just keep it clean. And we will have some exciting changes to the blog in the near future.

And remember to check Komets Korner all the time, too.

Thanks,

Justin Cohn

Komets win Turner Cup, immediately break it

Hey, it's not a Cup until it gets some wear and tear on it. The Fort Wayne Komets captured the Turner Cup as champions of the International Hockey League and, upon hoisting it above his head, captain Guy Dupuis snapped the cup part right off.

Oops.

But the team was all smiles, all gasps, after a marathon game that took three overtimes to win. The youngest guy on the ice, Justin Hodgman, got the winner. He grabbed a Dupuis shot out of midair, dropped it to the ice and sent it past goaltender Larry Sterling.

It was about the Komets' 20th great chance of overtime. It seemed only a matter of time until they got the best of Sterling, who was phenomenal in this game.

Hodgman was at a loss for words after the game. He was named Playoff MVP by commissioner Paul Pickard. He was the right choice, the only choice. I asked him, as the 10,462 fans chanted his name, if he'd consider forgoing his final year of juniors to come back to Fort Wayne. He wasn't ruling it out.

Frankly, though, he's destined for higher levels.

This was an amazing game. I actually thought regulation was a little boring. It seemed like the Komets had it won, up 2-1 with less than a minute to go. Then a Tab Lardner shot ricocheted off the skates of two Fort Wayne players and went in.

The Komets were downtrodden in the locker room after the third period but, I'm told, were more confident with every passing minute.  Overtime was awesome to watch.

Consider this: After the Komets fell behind 3-1 in the series, they never again trailed in a game. That's what I call a comeback.

Here are postgame interviews:

Nick Boucher: Download boucher_championship.WMA

Justin Hodgman: Download hodgman_championship.WMA

P.C. Drouin: Download drouin_championship.WMA

Guy Dupuis: Download dupuis_championship.WMA

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

We're going to 3 overtimes.

Sorry for my tardiness. As you can imagine, this has been quite hectic.

The Komets and Port Huron Icehawks are going to overtime No. 3 in Game 7 of the Turner Cup Finals. We can safely say, now, that this is the greatest game in the history of Komets hockey.

And that's a lot of history -- 56 seasons worth.

I can't believe this game is still going, not just because the Komets coughed up a 2-1 lead with less than a minute remaining in regulation, thanks to a Tab Lardner shot that ricocheted off of -- count 'em -- two Fort Wayne skates before going in. No, the shock is because the Komets have been foiled by goalie Larry Sterling on about six sterling scoring chances, and they've hit a couple of posts.

Port Huron has had some good chances, too, and the officiating going its way.

Heck with it, let's go all night.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Hodgman looks heroic, but Komets' lead is 2-1

Someone check if Robbie Laird, the former Komets coach and player, who is now the director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Kings, is in the stands. If so, Justin Hodgman may be drafted by the Kings sometime soon.

Hodgman intercepted a pass, went end-to-end and lasered a shot past Larry Sterling for a 1-0 lead in Game 7 of the Turner Cup Finals. There's a great buzz in the building, but a nervous one because the Komets haven't put this one away yet.

Sterling has made some great saves ...

... Ooops, just as  I type that, Guy Dupuis puts one in during a power play, from 40 feet out. Sorry, no way the Icehawks come back from two down. I don't see it ...

... Oops, just as I type that, Jeff Zehr scores for the Icehawks off a rebound.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette