Goodwin retires

Jonathan Goodwin may not have any NHL games on his resumé, but he’ll always have May 10, 2005.

That's when he scored on a one-timer from the slot, 14:46 seconds into overtime at Memorial Coliseum, to give the Komets a 2-1 victory in Game 7 and an improbable series victory over the Rockford IceHogs, after Fort Wayne had trailed three games to one.

“It was a pretty big moment in my career, and it’s something I’ll never forget – especially since it’s on YouTube now,” Goodwin said Wednesday, after confirming he was retiring.

Goodwin, 25, always dreamed of making it to the highest echelon of hockey. Despite three impressive seasons with the Komets – he had 87 goals and 180 points in 217 regular-season games – he never made it beyond the AA level.

“I’m really disappointed I didn’t move up,” he said. “I think everybody who plays wants that same thing. Obviously, it can’t happen for everybody. I had a couple of shots (in training camps), but I guess I didn’t do well enough.”

So, with a new fiancée and the realization he needed something more stable, he’s opted to make his living off of skates. An accounting major at Providence, he has begun working in sales for Pro Tool and Supply in Massachusetts.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a little bit,” Goodwin said. “After the playoffs ended and we had lost, I was a little bummed out. A job opportunity came up and I decided I didn’t want to be too old when I did enter the work force. Hopefully, this it works out for the best.”

Goodwin, 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, was a two-time all-star with the Komets, was selected as the team’s Rookie of the Year and to the UHL’s all-rookie team in 2005, and he twice won the Komets’ community service award.

Though he never helped the Komets to a Colonial Cup championship, he got them to the finals by taking a pass from Rob Guinn, flipping the puck into the net and sending 6,012 fans into a frenzy that fateful night in May of 2005.

“It was very difficult decision to retire,” Goodwin said. “I still love to play. But when it came down to it, (this) will be the best decision for me.”

• By the way, I could use a little help. I'd like to compile a database of fans who would be willing to help me out should I need fan input for future stories. If you're willing, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with your name, phone number and e-mail address. I will keep them -- confidentially, of course -- and maybe get in touch from time to time if the need arises. Thanks in advance.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Comments

[Wingmnn]

QC is out, I got this off their website when I went to it.

LOCAL OWNERSHIP GROUP, QC SPORTS VENTURES INC., BRINGS THE AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE TO THE QUAD CITIES
Calgary Flames’ Primary Affiliate Takes to the Ice This Fall

For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 24, 2007

Moline, IL- Dennis Voss, President of QC Sports Ventures Inc., announced today that the Calgary Flames of the NHL will bring their American Hockey League affiliate to the Quad Cities to begin play this fall. The move is subject to AHL Board of Governor approval at a meeting scheduled for Friday, May 25, 2007. The team’s move to the The MARK of the Quad Cities is also subject to ratification by the Illinois Quad City Civic Center Authority.

“We’re very excited to welcome the Flames organization to the Quad Cities,” said team President Tim Taylor. “The Calgary organization has a tremendous track record, and the American Hockey League is a great fit for this market. Our fans have been very loyal, and we’re honored to bring to them the American Hockey League.”

The American Hockey League is the top professional developmental hockey league in the world; more than 83 percent of players who played in the NHL during the 2006-07 season were graduates of the AHL. NHL stars Miikka Kirpusoff (Calgary Flames), Jason Spezza (Ottawa Senators), Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils) and Daniel Briere (Buffalo Sabres) are among hundreds of current NHL players who honed their skills in the AHL. Founded in 1936, the AHL will play its 72nd season in 2007-08 with an all-time high of 29 teams. This season marks the sixth consecutive year in which more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America.

“There was great interest in possible relocation of our team and through recent discussions we became convinced that the Quad Cities market, The MARK of the Quad Cities, the enthusiastic local ownership group and the existing fan base are ideally suited for our AHL franchise,” said Calgary Flames President & CEO Ken King.

“I am thrilled to welcome the Quad Cities to the AHL family and look forward to the rivalries and bringing the excitement of the AHL to the Quad Cities region, “ said AHL President & CEO David Andrews.

The Calgary Flames have been a member of the National Hockey League since 1980 and will celebrate their 28th season with the 2007-08 campaign. During their tenure, the Flames played in the Stanley Cup Finals on three occasions, winning the championship in 1989. The Calgary Flames will send their top young talent to the Quad Cities. During the 2006-07 season, the Flames AHL affiliate played in Omaha, Nebraska and recorded the best record in the AHL’s Western Division and Conference. Nine members of the 2006-07 team earned NHL call-ups to Calgary last season.

To make way for the new franchise, the Quad City Mallards will cease operations in the United Hockey League.

“The local ownership group gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the players, coaches and fans of the Mallards in the Quad Cities community over the past 12 years,” said Voss.

-www.qcflames.com-

[Brad Lyons]

Fort Wayne- IN
Kalamazoo- IN
Muskegon- IN
Chicago- IN, but for how long?
Bloomington-IN, but for how long?
Port Huron- FOLDED, hoping to come back
FLINT- About to fold, hoping to get new ownership
ELMIRA- OUT, off to the ECHL
QUAD CITY- OUT, off to the AHL
ROCKFORD- OUT, off to the AHL

Didn't I hear we have a basketball team coming soon? :-(

[Charlie from Rochester Hills, MI.]

Dare I say it, the Komet team may be left playing with itself, and that IS a pun intended! Come on Franke's, pull your head out of the dough. It could happen, all suited up and no league to play in. Are you all still on the Franke bandwagon?

[Jkmess11]

Okay, This is what I was thinking about. The NHL needs to take the CHL, ECHL, SPHL, and the UHL and turn them all equal AA teams but reorganize the teams to be geographically relocated. If the UHL were to reorganize, this is what the teams and conferences would be and each conference would be 3 to 5 hours away from each team. Western Conf:
Kalamazoo, Flint, Muskegon, Hoffman Estates, Bloomington. Centeral Conf:Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Toledo, Dayton,
Cincinnati. Eastern Conf:
Reading, PA, Trenton, Elmira,
Johnstown, Wheeling, Youngstown
Richmond, VA.

How does that sound? YOu can split the ECHL and SPHL & ECHL(west coast) and CHL the same way.

[Goody'scousin]

I am really going to miss goody. He is really intelegant and is awesome. I am really glad I did get to meet him. We are 1/2 cousins cause my last name is goodwin too. I hope Goody does good at his new job in Boston