Ice Chips 06'-07'

Quick comment from McDonald

Here's what Bill McDonald had to say, after his phone interview with general manager David Franke today:

"Fort Wayne's a real good opportunity for me," McDonald said. "It's a great city and the franchise is stable. It would be an honor to go in there and try to bring a championship to Fort Wayne. It's a great building, a great atmosphere and environment. And, whoa, I remember having some battles there in the past. This conjures up memories of games with guys like (ex-Kalamazoo player) Mel Angelstad and (former Komet) Andre Roy."

McDonald on Komets' list of candidates

By Justin A. Cohn
The Journal Gazette

Al Sims has already interviewed for the Fort Wayne Komets’ head-coaching job, and The Journal Gazette has learned that Bill McDonald is also a candidate for the post.

“We’ve already spoken to him over the phone and I’d say there is a good chance we bring him in for an interview,” general manager David Franke said.

McDonald, 54, coached the last two seasons with Austin (Texas) of the Central Hockey League, going 50-44-13 before he was fired Feb. 5.

The Komets, who won a regular-season championship last season, before Pat Bingham left to take an assistant coaching position with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League, are looking only at candidates with significant head coaching experience.

McDonald seems to fit that bill.

He won three championships in the UHL – it was then known as the Colonial Hockey League – with Thunder Bay in 1992, 1994 and 1995. He won a CHL championship with Fort Worth in 1997.

“He’s just got good experience and he’s a good recruiter,” Franke said. “And I know he likes to have physical teams.”

Sims, a former NHL coach with the San Jose Sharks, won a championship with the Komets in the now-defunct International Hockey League in 1993.

He and McDonald are among the Komets’ top-three candidates. The third undisclosed person is currently under contract to coach a team in the ECHL and Franke would not disclose his name.

McDonald couldn’t be reached for comment.

He coached against the Komets in 1998-99, when he was with the IHL’s Michigan K-Wings, grooming future NHL players like Marty Turco, Brad Lukowich and Jason Botterill.

After his stint with the K-Wings, with whom he was 35-34-13, he spent three seasons with Lubbock of the Western Professional Hockey League and CHL. Then he had two seasons with New Mexico of the CHL.

Sims in final 3 for K's coaching job

Al Sims’ interview for the Fort Wayne Komets’ vacant head-coaching job went so well Wednesday that general manager David Franke was ready to declare him a finalist for the job.

“It was a good day and Al’s definitely in the mix,” Franke said. “He’ll definitely be among our final three candidates.”

The other two candidates remain anonymous – one is coming from the ECHL and the other from the Central Hockey League – and Franke said a hiring could be made within 10 days.

“It was a real comfortable feeling,” Sims said.

While Sims, who guided the Komets to the 1993 championship in the now-defunct International Hockey League, visited familiar but recently renovated venues like Memorial Coliseum and McMillen Arena, internet message boards buzzed with some fans’ doubts about Sims’ recent record. In his only time coaching at the AA level of hockey, from 2001 to 2005 with Reading of the ECHL, Corpus Christi of the CHL and Fort Worth of the CHL, he had a combined mark of 110-138-29 and only once coached a team to above .500.

“I know Al can coach,” Franke said. “He did a wonderful job four us (in the IHL) … and I’m not concerned with his recent record.”

Both Franke and Sims, 54, said the failures in the CHL can be explained, at least partially. The franchise in Corpus Christi went bankrupt and was taken over by the league. After he was fired there, he took over a Fort Worth team midseason that was light on talent and it did improve record-wise under his watch.

And Sims’ resume includes time in the NHL – he was an assistant coach with Anaheim from 1993 to 1996 and a head coach with San Jose in 1996-97 – and not many people can say that, even though those fledgling franchises were going through growing pains, too.

“Things happen and my record wasn’t what I wanted it to be. It’s been a tough ride for me, even when I went to (the NHL),” said Sims, who was general manager with Flint last season. “It was tough to go from winning for so many years with the Komets and then go to losing. The slope has been a little slippery since I left Fort Wayne. I told David and (team president) Michael Franke, ‘It feels good to just be sitting here. I feel like a winner again.’”

If Sims gets the job, he’ll have a solid foundation in place – the Komets won the UHL’s regular-season title under Pat Bingham last season – and that would help matters, David Franke said.

“Our situation with the franchise and what we do here,” it’s attractive to players,” Franke said. “It might be easier to recruit here. It’s a hockey hotbed.”

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Sims a front-runner for coaching job

By Justin A. Cohn
The Journal Gazette

For their future, the Fort Wayne Komets may look to a storied figure from their past.

Al Sims, who guided Fort Wayne to a championship in the now-defunct International Hockey League during 1993 and later coached in the NHL, is one of the front-runners for the team’s vacant head-coaching post, general manager David Franke confirmed.

Sims, who was general manager with the UHL’s Flint Generals for part of last season, said he will interview for the job Wednesday.

“We’ve kept in touch on the phone with Al here and there,” Franke said. “Once we got to see him again, began talking to him quite a bit since he was in Flint, he just became somebody we definitely were interested in.”

“He’s coached in the NHL and the around the minor leagues. He’s got an impressive resume and he really got the big jump here in Fort Wayne in the early 90s and that propelled him to the National Hockey League.”

Sims, 54, played 476 games in the NHL as a defenseman; he was paired with Bobby Orr with the Boston Bruins for a time. He hung up the skates in 1989, after he served one season as a player/assistant coach with the Komets.

He was head coach of the Komets for four seasons, going 181-118-30. In 1993, they were a perfect 12-0 in the playoffs and captured the Turner Cup.

“It’s my No. 1 priority this summer to hopefully land the Komets’ coaching job,” Sims said. “When I look back on my time in Fort Wayne, the quality of life for myself and my family – I had one of my sons there – and the championship we won, it’s wonderful. The fans and the Franke family were tremendous. It really spring-boarded my career into the National Hockey League.”

Sims parlayed his success into a three-season stint as an assistant coach with Anaheim of the NHL. He was the San Jose Sharks’ head coach in 1996-97, going 24-47-8.

He has since been a head coach with Milwaukee of the IHL, Reading of the ECHL, Corpus Christi of the Central Hockey League and Fort Worth of the CHL. He has also been an assistant coach in the American Hockey League and in juniors in recent years.

Last season, he was fired from his general manager post with Flint late in the season. But Sims said he was never comfortable with a managerial role, anyway.

“I tried it for a year, the general-managing job, and I found myself coaching from up in the press box,” Sims said. “It was driving me crazy and I thought, ‘I’m not cut out for this.’ It was frustrating, but it gave me a year off and some new perspective.”

Franke said the Komets have at least two other front-runners for the job, but he wouldn’t disclose their names. He said head-coaching experience is a prerequisite for the job.

Some news, some thanks

Click here to read a story of note from www.prohockeynews.com. It talks about the state of the UHL.

And it seems there's positive progress regarding new ownership in Flint. Click here to see Brendan Savage's blog about it from The Flint Journal.

And thanks to all of the fans who have written me with their contact information, should I need them for future stories. It's much appreciated and feel free to keep the information coming.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Update on coach, Quad City

Fort Wayne Komets general manager David Franke said he hopes to have his search for a new coach concluded in two-to-three weeks. One name that can be taken out of the mix: Nick Vitucci, who coached Toledo of the ECHL the last four seasons. Franke said he was informed by Vitucci he wouldn't be applying. Stan Drulia, who coached recently folded Port Huron, remains a candidate, should he decide to seriously pursue the job. Kevin Kerr, who coached in Flint, which is about to have new ownership, could also be an option, but Franke said he has several more experienced candidates already after the post.

Meanwhile, the long rumored move of the Calagary Flames' top minor-league affiliate from Omaha, Neb., to the Quad Cities became official. That spells the end of the UHL's reign in Moline, Ill. For now, the UHL has six franchises for next season: Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Flint, Chicago and Bloomington, with the possibility of more additions this summer.

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

Updated post on Bingham leaving K's

Pat Bingham’s reign as coach of the Fort Wayne Komets was successful.

And it was short.

Bingham guided the Komets to a 51-21-4 record and the Tarry Cup regular-season championship in his first season with the team. Then he said goodbye Monday, accepting a position as an assistant coach with the Bridgeport (Conn.) Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.

Bingham, 38, held the same post with the Sound Tigers in the 2005-06 season, but he was a victim of housecleaning by the team’s parent club, the NHL’s New York Islanders, which had a new general manager at the time in Garth Snow.

“I’m very excited about this,” Bingham said of his return to Bridgeport, which contacted him about the job May 14. “When things were happening and happening so quickly, you’re excited but have sort of mixed feelings. In Fort Wayne, we had a great year and I had a great working relationships with (general manager David Franke and team president Michael Franke). Things seemed to jell. The communication and everything seemed to blossom. The team we put together was a byproduct of it.

“It was a really good year. You never want to rush to a decision and leave good people and a good situation. But for me, this is working for an NHL team I’m familiar with and an organization I’m familiar with. And they’re familiar with me. I’m going to get the chance to develop players for the Islanders and that’s very exciting for me.”

Bingham, who had been a head coach for five seasons in the UHL, Central Hockey League and ECHL, was one of two finalists for the Komets’ head-coaching post last summer. It came down to him and John Marks, his elder by 21 years.

In the end, one of the attributes the Komets liked about Bingham was his ambition to succeed so he could move up. That could come back to haunt them; he’s leaving halfway through his two-year contract with the Komets.

“It’s a great move for his career and for him. Bridgeport, they wanted Pat. It’s not like he went after it, they came after him,” said Bruce Richardson, a player/assistant coach with the Komets last season.

“He’s getting one step closer to the NHL and his goal. Any athlete or coach, if they have the chance to get to the next level, they’d take the job. … He’s cashing in on the season we had and he deserves it. I told him, you have to take that job.”

David Franke, who had granted the Sound Tigers permission to talk to Bingham, agreed.

“We didn’t really see it coming, but after I talked to Bridgeport, I figured Pat would take the position. He had to,” Franke said. “This is the chance to go back to the American Hockey League, be employed by a National Hockey League franchise. Obviously, he made quite an impression on them before and he had to take the deal.”

With the Sound Tigers, Bingham will work under head coach Jack Capuano. Bingham will be the senior assistant coach – that’s a new position with the team – and he’ll be charged with working with forwards, the power play and doing extensive video breakdown.

“I think Pat brings to the table incredible leadership, wonderful coaching ability and knowledge,” Sound Tigers president Howard Saffan said. “He’s won at every level and there’s no doubt, he’s a winner. … Remember one thing: I know the man and he deserved the opportunity to come back. When we had an opening at the American Hockey League level, he was the first phone call we made.”

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Possible candidates for Komets' coaching job

Komets general manager David Franke said it will be several weeks before the Komets find a coach to replace Pat Bingham, though the team has already received phone calls, e-mails and faxes from people interested in the job.

“I think we’d like somebody with a proven track record as a head coach,” Franke said. “Somebody who would be a good recruiter is first and foremost. I’ll assist, like I always do, but the coach is responsible for 60 to 70 percent of the players we get. He has to be well organized and a good motivator.”

Franke confirmed that the following people might be attractive to the Komets, if they apply:

Nick Vitucci: Coached Toledo of the ECHL the last four seasons before that team suspended operations. He was 39-30-1 last season and the team isn't supposed to return until 2009. Age is 39.
Stan Drulia: Was with Port Huron of the UHL last season, before team folded, and took them to 29-37-10 record and playoff berth. Reportedly promised daughter they’d be in Port Huron for four years, so he may not leave. Age is 39.
Kevin Kaminski: Popular former Komets player is coaching Youngstown of the Central Hockey League, where he went 34-20-10 and made playoffs. Age is 38.
Kevin Kerr: In first season with Flint, the former Komets player and all-time leading goal scorer in minor-league history, went 33-34-9. The Generals are hoping to get new owners this summer to save the franchise, so he may not even be available. Age is 39.
Al Sims: Fired as general manager in Flint last season, he coached the Komets to the International Hockey League championship in 1993 and coached NHL’s San Jose Sharks in 1996-97. Age is 54.
Jim Bermingham: Coached Knoxville of the Southern Professional Hockey League the last four seasons, going 33-19-4 and making the playoffs last season. Age is 36.

The following people will be asked about by fans but Franke said they won’t be in the mix:

Steve Martinson: Coach of the Komets’ chief rivals, the Rockford IceHogs, Martinson’s team is in the Colonial Cup Finals. While the IceHogs’ move to the American Hockey League will put Martinson out of a job, he is almost certain to wind up with Elmira of the ECHL. Age is 49.
Brian Curran: Coached Quad City of the UHL the last two seasons, winning Coach of the Year honors, but he was fired this spring. Age is 43.
Paul Gillis: Second all-time in UHL wins, he finished the season with Elmira. Age is 43.
Troy Neumeier: A player/assistant coach with the Komets from 2001 to 2006, he’s still playing. Also doesn’t have the head-coaching prerequisite. Age is 36.
Kris Waltze: He has coached Richmond and Elmira in the UHL. Age is 28.

Bingham leaving Komets for AHL

Pat Bingham’s reign as coach of the Fort Wayne Komets was successful.

And it was short.

Bingham guided the Komets to a 51-21-4 record and the Tarry Cup regular-season championship in his first season with the team. Then he said goodbye Monday, accepting a position as an assistant coach with the Bridgeport (Conn.) Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.

Bingham, 38, held the same post with the Sound Tigers in the 2005-06 season, but he was a victim of housecleaning by the team’s parent club, the NHL’s New York Islanders.

“The opportunity to be hired by the Islanders as an assistant with their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport is a great opportunity for me and my family,” Bingham said in a statement. “Fort Wayne was a great place to coach and everyone treated me well. I'm proud of the great season we just completed and the next coach in Fort Wayne will be a lucky person.”

Bingham, who had been a head coach for five seasons in the UHL, Central Hockey League and ECHL, wound up one of two finalists for the Komets’ head-coaching post last summer. It came down to him and John Marks, his elder by 21 years.

In the end, one of the attributes the Komets liked about Bingham was his ambition to succeed so he could move up. That could come back to haunt them; he’s leaving halfway through his two-year contract with the Komets.

“It’s a great move for his career and for him. Bridgeport, they wanted Pat. It’s not like he went after it, they came after him,” said Bruce Richardson, a player/assistant coach with the Komets last season.

“He’s getting one step closer to the NHL and his goal. Any athlete or coach, if they have the chance to get to the next level, they’d take the job. … He’s cashing in on the season we had and he deserves it. I told him, ‘You have to take that job.’”

With the Sound Tigers, Bingham will work under head coach Jack Capuano. Bingham will be the senior assistant coach – that’s a new position – and he’ll be charged with working with forwards, the power play and doing extensive video breakdown.

“I think Pat brings to the table incredible leadership, wonderful coaching ability and knowledge,” Sound Tigers president Howard Saffan said. “He’s won at every level and there’s no doubt, he’s a winner. … Remember one thing: I know the man and he deserved the opportunity to come back. When we had an opening at the American Hockey League level, he was the first phone call we made.”

Komets general manager David Franke couldn’t be reached for comment.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

K's coach moves on

Pat Bingham has resigned his post as coach of the Komets to become an assistant coach with the American Hockey League's team in Bridgeport, Conn.

To see the press release, click here. Check back later today and I will have more news.

Port Huron folds ... for now

The UHL's Port Huron Flags have suspended operations but the league office stated it is confident a new ownership group will resurrect the team before next season begins.

"We regret that we were not able to go on further with the Port Huron Flags hockey team," said Charlie Barrett, Flags chairman of the board. "But we are happy that there are continued negotiations with others to keep the Flags in Port Huron for the upcoming UHL season."

UHL commissioner Richard Brosal said the league hopes to announce new ownership "in the next couple of weeks."

Last season, Port Huron drew a league-low 1,938 fans and had a 29-37-10 record, losing in the first round of the playoffs.

And Komets president Michael Franke said his family would not be a part of any new ownership group with the Flags.

Meanwhile, this in from Komets trainer Shawn Dundon, who is auctioning off the jerseys of recently deceased fan Stacy Musice. The following will be on eBay:

1) Doug Teskey #35 Ft Wayne Komets 00-01 Season Christmas Jersey
2) Gary Ricciardi #4 Ft Wayne Komets 00-01 Season Christmas Jersey
3) Kevin Popp #25 Ft Wayne Komets 00-01 Season Christmas Jersey
4) Mike McKay #24 Ft Wayne Komets 00-01 Season Christmas Jersey
5) Chris Eade #3 North Bay Centenniels (98-02) Black OHL Jersey
6) John Goodwin #19 Ft Wayne Komets 04-05 Season with Colonial Cup Finals Patch
7) Jason Kean #7 Ft Wayne Komets 04-05 Season with Colonial Cup Finals Patch
8) Igor Malykhin #4 Detroit Vipers IHL 94-95 Season (Has 50th yr Anniversary Patch for the IHL)
9) Michel Massie #19 Ft Wayne Komets 03-04 Season O'Charleys Promotional Jersey worn on St Patricks Day
10) Stephen Desjardins #27 Austin Ice Bats 94-95 Season (Inaugural Year of the WPHL)
11) JIm Logan #27 Port Huron BorderCats 98-99 Season
12) Steve Lowe #15 Saginaw Gears UHL Jersey 98-99 Season Not Autographed

Today's column

In case you missed it: http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/sports/hockey/17239077.htm

Six teams or not

Komets president Michael Franke said the UHL will have at least seven teams next season, "with the possible addition of other cities."

Under a gag order from the league, he wouldn't elaborate or say much else. He did promise there's no chance the Komets won't play next season.

I can tell you, I've been hearing that Port Huron's demise is far from a certainty and that something to bear in mind with the American Hockey League going into Quad City is that it would require an expansion to the ice surface. The cost of that alone would be a hindrance.

There is some mention of that in this article from Quad-Cities Online.

Still, it's tough to remain optimistic about this league when the only thing for sure -- at least given today's events -- is that there will be six teams next season. But I'm being told by reliable people that in the coming weeks, things will settle and we'll see improvements to the membership, geography and rules governing the league, so I guess we have to give it some time.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Call it the Residual Six

So, for now, it looks as if the UHL will be down to six teams next season. Reports out of several newspapers have the American Hockey League going into the Quad Cities and Port Huron folding, which would leave the UHL with just Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Flint and Chicago.

Hmm, not quite as endearing as the Original Six is it? Maybe the Residual Six.

Some out there are claiming maybe this will be a good thing because there will be bitter rivalries and lots of fun. Puh-lease. I can't imagine anyone will be all that stoked to see the 15th meeting of the season between Fort Wayne and Bloomington.

And I can't help but think even one season of six-team play will move the UHL to the annals of hockey irrelevancy. Imagine a good up-and-coming coach. How stoked is he going to be about coaching in such a league? A regular-season championship in a six-team league wouldn't seem to make for a breathtaking spot on the resume. The same would go for a player. Doesn't having less competition lead to less motivation?

Of course, one could argue the level of play would improve; addition by subtraction in weeding out players not good enough. But that presupposes you can sell players on remaining here.

OK, now that I've touched on the negatives, I'm still not convinced the UHL is a sinking ship. We can't judge this thing until we know for sure who's in and who's out for next season. And I can't imagine that two strong franchises in Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo would attach themselves to such a product if they didn't know there was going to be a ray of sunshine after this storm. Maybe that means the UHL will have six teams for only one season and then blossom. Maybe it means there will be some late entrants after a new commissioner is put in place next month.

Don't hold out hope the Komets will end up in the ECHL or AHL because of all of this. It would be too expensive. The Komets will draw lots of fans regardless of the league they play in, so why move to a circuit where the cost of living is so much greater?

We'll have to see how this plays out. It's no doubt scary to see so many teams bolting and folding. At least we'll find out who's really on solid ground. And one more thing: The one good thing about all of this is there's some geographic sense to the league now, so let's not add Missouri into the mix.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Larocque clarification

In reference to a story on Page 1B of Wednesday's editions of The Journal Gazette, Komets general manager David Franke said the team did want to bring back defenseman Mario Larocque but those plans were derailed when the player informed him he was going to play in Europe next season.

Mallards could be out

According to the Omaha World-Herald, the American Hockey League's Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights are moving to the Quad Cities. The Knights are the top minor-league affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames  but have striggled financially since their berth in 2005. If the move is true, it would likely spell the end of the Quad City Mallards' stint in the UHL.

Frenchy's comments

Here is what goaltender Kevin St. Pierre, who will sign with Tulsa of the Central Hockey League, had to say tonight:

On going to Tulsa because his wife, Heather, is from nearby Wichita, Kansas: "I feel my kids should grow up and see their grandparents. It being two and a half hours away, it's a good situation. The kids will enjoy it."

On if money played a factor: "To tell you the truth, it has nothing to do with the money. I'm placing this on family and how much time is left in my career. I was there in Fort Wayne for four years. I didn't get a championship but other than that I didn't know what else I could have done. It was time for a new challenge."

On the decision to go to Tulsa: "It was really tough. Fort Wayne's pretty hard to beat with the fan support and all that. But they expect more than most people. I had a great time there. I have no complaints. My wife followed me for years and it's time for me to follow her for the family."

On being disappointed he never won a Colonial Cup for a city he loved off the ice, doing charity work and such: "Obviously, I feel like I didn't do my job because I didn't get the championship. But I did the best I could. I did great things for the city and the town. I feel I overachieved off the ice."

Hopes for the Komets: "I hope they do well. I wish them luck. A lot of rumors are going to come out that they didn't offer me enough. That's not the case. We never got to the point where they made an offer. I just did this on my own."

Great guy. Good luck, Frenchy.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

McWhinney an option

Komets coach Pat Bingham said the team does hope to bring back goaltender Dan McWhinney and that he could vie for the No. 1 job.

This after Kevin St. Pierre accepted an offer, according to Komets general manager David Franke, to play for Tulsa of the Central Hockey League next season.

"I definitely think he's in our plans to bring back and he could challenge for the No. 1 position," Bingham said. "He hasn't proved in the past (he can be an everyday starter). But that was the great thing about Kevin -- he individually had a great year but was also a mentor (to McWhinney) and helped him make huge strides."

While Bingham was saddened to see St. Pierre go, he said losing players to lucrative offers is the price of success. And Bingham added, "I guess there's never an ideal time to lose your top goalie and really the top goalie in the league. But if you could select it, going into the summer is the best time."

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

St. Pierre leaving K's

General manager David Franke considers goaltending for the Fort Wayne Komets to be one of the top jobs in minor-league hockey.

The post is now open.

Franke confirmed that Kevin St. Pierre, winner of the UHL’s Best Goaltender Award and the Komets’ MVP Trophy, has accepted an offer to play for the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League.

“Now, we’ll start the hunt for a new goalie,” Franke said Tuesday, when it also became likely that standout defenseman Mario Larocque would be playing elsewhere next season.

In St. Pierre’s impressive four-season run with the Komets, he went 147-54-13 and became the franchise’s all-time leader in shutouts with 23 shutouts. He also became the UHL’s record-holder in shutouts with 26. He was the league’s MVP and Best Goaltender in 2003-04.

St. Pierre helped Fort Wayne to regular-season championships in 2004 and this season. Despite leading the Komets to the Colonial Cup Finals in 2005, he never took the Komets to a playoff championship, something his predecessor as No. 1 goalie, Tom Lawson, did in one season with Fort Wayne.

After being ousted 4-1 by the Rockford IceHogs in the Western Conference Finals, the Komets were leaning toward trying to bring back St. Pierre, 32. But the decision was made for them when they learned of the contract offers he was receiving from teams in other leagues. Franke said to keep St. Pierre would have jeopardized the Komets’ ability to stay under the salary cap.

“We had a meeting last Friday and talked about a wide variety of things,” Franke said. “His was an offer in Tulsa he couldn’t refuse and that’s fine with us. To be honest with you, I think he wanted to make a change. Maybe it’s time for us to make a change in goal, too. Kevin did a (large) amount of good work for us. He felt bad we weren’t able to win the championships we were looking for.”

St. Pierre couldn’t be reached for comment; his voicemail stated he was out of town. Neither Fort Wayne coach Pat Bingham nor Tulsa general manager Corey MacIntyre could be reached either.

Last season, St. Pierre went 42-18-3 with a 2.24 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and five shutouts. In the playoffs, he was one of the few Fort Wayne players to excel, going 5-5 with a 2.55 GAA, a .917 save percentage and two shutouts.

Check out Wednesday's editions of The Journal Gazette for more on St. Pierre's departure.

By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Larocque likely to Europe

Defenseman Mario Larocque isn't ruling out a return to the Fort Wayne Komets, but the 29-year-old defenseman said he's likely to play in Europe next season.

He has been in negotiations with a team in Austria.

"I'm talking with a team there," Larocque said. "I haven't signed anything yet, but I'm considering it."

Larocque had 27 goals and 67 points in 76 regular-season games with the Komets. He was a second-team all-star and tied for third in voting for the UHL's Best Defenseman Award, which went to teammate Guy Dupuis.

A first-round draft pick in 1996, Larocque played five games with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998-99. He is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds.

Asked if a return to the Komets was possible, Larocque said: "As of now, I have no clue. I'm looking overseas for sure. ... But I want to keep my options open."

Larocque expected to speak with Komets general manager David Franke this week. Franke couldn't be reached for comment.

"I've always wanted to go play in Europe," Larocque said. "I'm the kind of guy who likes to have new experiences and to travel. At some point, I've always wanted to move on (from North America). This could be good timing."

The Komets lost 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals to the Rockford IceHogs, who lead the Kalamazoo Wings 2-0 in the Colonial Cup Finals. In the playoffs, Larocque had two goals and seven points in 10 games. His 40 penalty minutes led all players.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Lopsided finals so far

What the heck is going on with the Kalamazoo Wings? They trail the Rockford IceHogs 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, and they've been outscored 9-3 along the way? OK, that did include a 6-1 loss on Sunday, but I still thought they'd be a little more competitive in that one. I still think they will be heading home.

Anyone notice the attendance at the MetroCentre for the first two games? They had 3,271 and then 3,235. For a team that's heading to the American Hockey League, that's not very good. Good luck with that.

If the IceHogs win, wouldn't it be strange that they do it and then bid adieu to coach Steve Martinson?

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Ruid may play again

In case you missed today's story, click here. J.C. Ruid may not retire after all.

Who do you want back?

So, who would you like to keep for next season?

The players I would definitely try to bring back: Goaltenders Kevin St. Pierre and Dan McWhinney, defensemen Guy Dupuis, A.J. Bozoian, Arthur Kiyaga, forwards Jonathan Goodwin, Matt Syroczynski, Martin Gascon, David Hukalo, Pascal Morency and Bruce Richardson.

As you can tell, I recommend a youth movement here.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Wrap-up stories

Here is the season wrap-up package:

For the column on needing more youth, click here.

Overview on the series loss, click here.

Changes for next season, click here.

And in case you missed the stories off of Saturday's game, click here and here.

Finally, a really good slide show from Saturday's game -- check out the photo of the waved off Jonathan Goodwin goal -- courtesy of Sam Hoffman, is here: http://jordan.fortwayne.com/jg_komets/06-07-photos/050507/

Season over

So, the Komets' season comes to an end with a 5-4 loss to the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday night. I have to admit, I'm shocked they lost this series 4-1. Had you asked me early in the third period if they'd lose the game, I would have said, "No way."

I should have known better. This was a different team in the playoffs. They just didn't play smart, missed assigments, couldn't get the puck out of the their own zone, took bad penalties, had stars do disappearing acts. All of it came to haunt them in the end.

In the third period, they gave up two goals, one on a line change when their defense was horrid, the next in just quizzical fashion -- the Komets win a face off and play the puck behind their own net and no one's there to get it. Then, the goalie is kind of dazed by the whole play and there's a bang-bang goal. What was that? Where's the communication?

I though the Komets' effort tonight was great, but they just didn't play smart when they had to do it. The team agreed after the game, they got so caught up in trying to play the physical series they thought Rockford would bring, that they didn't play their own games. Hmm, sounds like the Dallas Mavericks against the Golden State Warriors.

Except, the IceHogs are so good, I'm not sure this is an upset.

I will have plenty of information over the next few days, so make sure you check back. (It's been a long day, so I'm going to get some sleep.) But here are some further things to think about:

• Komets coach Pat Bingham was obviously disgruntled, especially since he felt some of his players just went cuckoo in the playoffs. But he wanted to be clear: He loved this team, had a blast coaching them and doesn't want anything negative said. There you go.
• Bingham has one year left on his contract. He said he fully plans to return. It was a legitimate question because he seemed frustrated by some facets of the UHL.
• Komets officials expect Bingham to be fined for criticism of the officials after game 4.
• None of the players are under contract for next season. Management isn't sure yet what direction it'll go, but I get the feeling they will keep a lot of the young players if they can.
• Erick Tremblay was played tonight not just out of necessity; the Komets wanted to see if he was worth keeping. He scored a goal.
• Bruce Richardson was taking this loss hard. He said this was the toughest one of his career.

Here are some postgame interviews:

Bruce Richardson: Download bruce_richardson_after_season.WMA

Jonathan Goodwin: Download jonathan_goodwin_after_season.WMA

Coach Pat Bingham: Download pat_bingham_after_season.WMA

Team president Michael Franke: Download michael_franke_after_season.WMA

General manager David Franke: Download david_franke_after_season.WMA

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

After two, it's tense

The Komets have given a clinic on how to blow a lead here. Still, they're up 4-3 after the second period.

They were up 3-1 and then caved in; most of the play has been in the Rockford end and the game-tying goal came after Fort Wayne took a penalty for having too many men on the ice. Second night in a row that penalty has cost them.

But then Erick Tremblay, in his first professional game, made a wobbly shot from just inside the blue line and put the Komets up at 18:23 of the second period.

Arthur Kiyaga, who is playing his first game of the series, looks really good even though he looks so small out there. Tremblay also isn't out of place. But still, too many of the Komets' high-profile players are invisible.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Looking better

Well, the Komets are showing plenty of fight tonight. They lead the IceHogs 2-1 after one period of play. The best part, if you're a Komets fan, is after Rockford tied it at 1 with a power-play goal, it took the Komets only 13 seconds to respond, with Pascal Morency putting in the rebound of a David Hukalo shot that rang off the post.

The officiating has been much better tonight. There was one thing Neil Christopher missed -- a Rockford player decked Bruce Richardson after a whistle -- but really nothing I can complain about for once. Hopefully, it'll keep up.

The UHL's commissioner, Richard Brosal, and vice-president of hockey operations, Brad Jones, are both here.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

What happened to the Komets?

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Here's what it looked like after the Komets' 5-2 loss to the Rockford IceHogs on Friday.

Minutes after the game, Fort Wayne coach Pat Bingham was irate over the too-many-men penalty his team took late in the game. It gave the IceHogs a power play and a 3-1 victory-sealing lead. There was a miscommunication between two of his players; they both went on the ice to replace Daniel Goneau, apparently not discussing before the incident who was supposed to leave. Who's fault was it? All involved for not discussing things.

As Bingham was composing himself and huddling with general manager David Franke and team president Michael Franke, Rockford coach Steve Martinson was coolly in his office praising his team's prowess on special teams and claiming that his team will be fine with a 3-1 series lead -- even though they blew such a lead two years against the Komets -- because he said his young squad won't lose two games in three nights.

Back to the Fort Wayne locker room, where Bingham was irate at the officiating and rightly so. The Komets took some really bad penalties, sure, but after calling six in a row on Fort Wayne, how do they miss the Bruce Watson hit on Mario Larocque. Watson left his feet, dirty play. No call. Apparently, only a linesman saw it but wouldn't call it because it was a minor penalty, not a major. Well, that might be valid except a linesman called other minors in the game, like the Nathan Lutz slash. Regardless, how the referee missed that Watson hit is appalling.

The Fort Wayne players were somber, as you would except, but saying the series isn't over, if they can just stay out of the penalty box and, well, just play better. If you ask me, there are two big problems: They can't do the simplest thing -- chip the puck out of their own zone. It's like they're physically incapable of doing it. And, they have no traffic in front of the net. The IceHogs are sending all of their defenders into the corners because they know they don't have to worry about the crease. This is basic stuff, folks.

OK, for the most controversial thing of the night: Though the Komets believe otherwise, Brent Henley wasn't hurt by a slash. He tried to knee Chaz Johnson and missed, then came down awkwardly. I saw the tape. David Franke said Henley has a strained knee and will be out the rest of the series.

I don't know how the Komets went from so good to so bad so quickly. The officiating doesn't help, sure, but they're not doing anything that great teams do. We have to see if they have the resiliency now.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

I saw the Henley play

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- I saw video of the incident late in the game with Brent Henley. He stretched his leg out to knee Chaz Johnson, missed and came down funny. Komets general manager David Franke said it's a strained knee and Henley is out for the series. It didn't look like any slash or anything, as Komets officials had been claiming.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

In search of Kelly Perrault

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Oh, what the Komets wouldn't give to have a Kelly Perrault right now. He was a star for the Komets when they won their Colonial Cup and they could use that type of player right now.

Fort Wayne cannot function on the power play -- yes, some calls have finally started going their way -- and that's really hurting them. They need to more effectively get the puck up ice and into the offensive zone, because they're just toying with the puck right now.

But more than anything, here's the problem I see with Fort Wayne: They have absolutely no traffic in front of the net. Nothing there. How do you expect to get scoring chances or wreak any sort of havoc without that?

Well, Komets trail 1-0 late in the second period.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Conspiracy theory

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- I'm not much into conspiracy theories, but this is ridiculous. We have a referee tonight I've never seen, Jarrod Ragusin -- I was told he was good -- and he's been abominable. Six straight penalties he calls against Fort Wayne, two of them outrageously bad, and then he doesn't call a blatant board by Bruce Watson on Fort Wayne's Mario Larocque. Not only did the Komets face three 5-on-3 short-handed situations, but now they're without Larocque, who was on the ice for a few minutes after Watson clearly left his feet to drive Larocque's face into the glass.

Rockford scored on one of the 5-on-3s and is ahead 1-0 after the first period of play.

It sure seems like the referees have it in for the Komets. I wonder if all that whining the team did about the officiating all season is, at least subconsciously, in the minds of the officials.  That's the only way I can explain calls this bad.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Looking tight

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- I didn't think the Komets looked very good during warm-ups. Only about seemingly 10 percent of their shots were going into the net and they just didn't look, I don't know, quite with it. I do have a feeling J.F. Labarre will have a role to play in this one.

Not sure yet on the lineup changes. Arthur Kiyaga was on the ice during warm-ups, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be playing.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

A question of depth, lines

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- OK, I've been thinking about depth. The Rockford IceHogs, who are planning on activating Bruce Watson for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, certainly have it. This will be the third different lineup coach Steve Martinson will have used in the series.

Meanwhile, the Komets have changed their lineup only once in the playoffs. Now, it seems maybe they need to shake things up, but how can they? I'm a fan of Arthur Kiyaga but I'm not sure I put him in a series this physical. Erick Tremblay is supposed to be promising, but do you really put in a player who hasn't played a game in the pros? And Kyle McAllister is there, but I'm not entirely sure what he'd add. So, I think the Komets will stick with their lineup.

That means they don't have enough depth. It may sounds strange, but I wonder if this all goes back to K.J. Voorhees retiring? I know he wasn't playing much, but he was around to give the Komets an experienced player for these types of situations, and now they're sitting there with three rookies they may not be able to use. Or there was the trade of Kelly Miller for Andrew Lackner. Who would you rather have right now?

I don't think there's any question, though, if the Komets could go back in time, they'd have groomed one more player for this situation. Just my opinion.

Speaking of lineup changes, I know that part of the Komets' success this season has rested with coach Pat Bingham's belief in his lines; he hasn't meddled much with them. But after two dreadful games in a row, personally, I would shake up the lines a bit. What's it going to hurt? I was thinking of this: Daniel Goneau-Bruce Richardson-Terry Marchant; Matt Syroczynski-J.C. Ruid-Pascal Morency; David Hukalo-Martin Gascon-Jonathan Goodwin.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Weird game; great goaltending

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- I've covered some weird games in my time, but this was one of the strangest.

There were penalties galore, lots of hard hitting, wild momentum shifts, the strangest scorekeeping ever, drama left and right, some bad goals and some of the best goaltending ever in Rockford's 3-2 victory over the Komets.

I guess I leave the MetroCentre thinking that the highlight was Kevin St. Pierre's performance in net for the Komets. He made at least 10 saves from point-blank range, two flat on his stomach and blind to the puck, all keeping the Komets in the game. Yeah, he let in a soft one early, but the defense was horrid on that play and he more than made up for it. When he gave up that goal, which put the IceHogs up 2-1, I wondered how he's respond. He did well.

After seeing how much Rockford controlled this game, normally I would think they've got the series in the bag. But then only won by one goal, so I still find it hard to count the Komets out. I do know this: Fort Wayne must stop taking stupid penalties. They're just not playing smart hockey there. And also, why can't they do a simple thing like chip the puck out of their own zone? This is fundamental stuff here.

OK, here are some other notes:

• The statisticians here are sticking by their shot count of 50 for the IceHogs. I think it was around 40 and that's only because they didn't count a bunch in the third period. I wasn't the only one who saw it go from 30 shots to 40 shots in the span of a couple seconds, with only two or so shots going by. Weird, but ultimately not that important.
• Rockford coach Steve Martinson said he will activate Bruce Watson for Game 4 and wants to really bring it to the Komets physically.
• Fort Wayne coach Pat Bingham said he wasn't worried about fatigue, even though his team had so much penalty killing to do. He said using all six defensemen helped. Personally, I thought they looked really gassed.
• The Komets held a 20-minute closed-door meeting after the game.
• Anyone notice that after the first period ended, with the Komets on a 5-on-3 advantage, Martinson was all over referee Derek Berkebile? Then the IceHogs get four straight power plays? Believe me, the Komets noticed and weren't happy.
• Bingham, who has groaned about the officiating all year, did so a bit again. He doesn't understand why everything always has to be evened up. I agree. But I have to say, I didn't think Berkebile called that terrible a game. I mean, the Komets were out of control.
• I've been hard on A.J. Bozoian, but I thought he was one of the few players who looked really good for the Komets in this one. He's coming on strong.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

A shot in the dark

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- OK, I don't know who does the shot totals here, but I've never in my life seen it as inaccurate as this. It's shots on goal, folks, not just shots.  But whatever, whomever does it has the IceHogs leading in shots 42-13 late in the second period.

They are right on the tone of the game, though. It's all IceHogs. They lead it 3-1. Fort Wayne has spent almost the entire period short-handed. The IceHogs' Preston Mizzi has scored twice, besting goaltender Kevin St. Pierre on one of them with a shot from the blue line that caught the netminder off guard.

After that, though, St. Pierre was heroic for a five-minute span, making about seven saves on shots from point-blank range. But he gave up another goal to let the IceHogs go up 3-1.

Fort Wayne just looks rattled -- they cannot seem the clear their zone of the puck -- and they can't stay out of the penalty box either. I don't know that I've seen them look this disheveled this season.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Hit this spot

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Wow, there has been a ton of hitting in the first period tonight -- by both teams. Still, Rockford has been the better team, keeping the action almost exclusively in the Fort Wayne end, where the Komets haven't been breaking out the puck very well.

Despite all that, the Komets lead it 1-0 because they had the best individual play of the period. Just as a Rockford power play was ending, the Komets broke up ice on a 3-on-3 rush and Daniel Goneau made a beautiful spinning drop pass to Kevin Hansen, who patiently wristed the puck into the net.

But the Komets had better get the play in the other end more, or they will be in trouble.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

From the BOB (Big Orange Box)

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Well, this may be my last trip ever to Rockford -- the IceHogs are moving to the American Hockey League next season -- and I have to say I'll miss it.

(It should be noted, I think this series is going six games, so there will be at least one more trip out here, but you never know.)

Other than the MetroCentre, otherwise known as the Big Orange Box, being wildly outdated, it's a good hockey town and there seems to be more to do in this city than there was, say, five years ago. I hope they get the sinks fixed at this building before next season, though. What is it with this arena and Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich., that there's only cold water and the sinks don't run without all sorts of effort?

Anyway, I have now officially tried every possible route for getting here, so for those of you coming Friday or Sunday, here's what I recommend: Take 30W until you get to the Valparaiso exit, which is US 49. Take that north to the toll road. Then take 90 into Chicago. Get onto I-290 West and circumvent the city. Then get back onto 90 and take into Rockford. Have plenty of toll money and allot at least five hours, depending on rush-hour traffic.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Happenings in the UHL

As originally reported by The Journal Gazette, new ownership has been assumed in Bloomington, Ill., and it's Muskegon owner Tony Lisman, who had been a silent partner with the team. Click here for the story from the Bloomington Pantagraph.

There will be a Board of Governors meeting on Thursday in Kalamazoo, Mich. -- it is an annual meeting -- at which time franchises must disclose whether or not they plan on returning to the league. However, Komets president Michael Franke said, it's highly unlikely any determinations on the makeup of the league will be formalized at that meeting; its more to pare down the candidates for the commissioner's post that's soon to be vacated.

Several sources have told me Quad City and Port Huron, the only returning franchises in question, will be back in the league.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Confidence all around

Despite getting beaten handily 5-2 on Sunday, the Komets still have plenty of confidence heading back to Rockford, Ill., for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

"I expect us to come back because I have faith in our team," Komets coach Pat Bingham said. "And I believe in these guys as people and collectively as a team. They want to win and they want to advance."

Defenseman Brent Henley agreed.

"Everybody's going to remember what this feels like and that's the motivation," he said after the loss. "You don't want to feel like this."

As for the IceHogs, they're looking forward to playing at the MetroCentre, where they're tough to beat and where the ice surface is slightly smaller. Look for them to try and get physical in the corners.

"It's a short rink and the defensemen go in the game and they know they're going to get hit," coach Steve Martinson said. "That's what we're going to try to do, get the puck deep and be as physical as we can without taking penalties."

• With Rockford moving to the American Hockey League and Elmira off to the ECHL, at most there will be eight teams returning to the UHL next season. Quad City had investigated going to the ECHL, according to the Quad City Times, but I expect them back. Bloomington had also considered such a move but under restructured ownership soon to be announced, the Prairie Thunder will be back and I expect the Mallards will fall in line with their geographic rivals. As for Port Huron, we don't know yet, according to the Port Huron Times-Herald, but I've been hearing they're in for next season.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette