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
Once again I hope that whatever decision he decides to make is one that he will be happy with.
Posted by: Greg | May 15, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Lazy.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | May 15, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Justin, Eurohockey.net already has Marion signed with a team in Innsbruck, Austria. Can you confirm?
http://www.eurohockey.net/transfers/last_24_hours.html
Posted by: Greg | May 15, 2007 at 03:21 PM
I asked him about it; he said nothing's been signed yet. I don't trust that eruohockey site. It has too many errors. But you never know. I don't see why he would deny it if he's signed, though.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 15, 2007 at 03:48 PM
Thanks Justin.
Posted by: Greg | May 15, 2007 at 04:08 PM
I hope so he can go lean on his stick there
Posted by: Hockey Fan | May 15, 2007 at 04:43 PM
I hope he goes and plays somewhere else so that he can get away from these so called "critics". I wonder had he not scored as many goals as he did if we would've done as well. Maybe he should've just went out there and beat the heck out of everybody and then gotten susspended. Wait then what would you say when he wasn't out there to score goals and nobody else was scoring either. 27 goals wasn't that like 3rd best on the team? Oh well way to support the WHOLE team. Good Luck Mario!!!!
Posted by: Heather | May 15, 2007 at 05:28 PM
You rock Heather!!!! Wondering how many of you "critics" could really hang on the ice with any one of the guys you criticize so much. Good luck Mario, Little Rock and his family will miss you!!
Posted by: hockey mom | May 15, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Nobody wanted him to fight. They wanted him to quit being lazy, skate hard, and play with heart.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | May 17, 2007 at 08:37 AM
Thank the lord he is totally gone!!
Dupuis is so much better than #71
Lets go komets
(Without Larocque!)
Posted by: goody's girl | May 22, 2007 at 02:40 PM
thank goodness he is gone he always missed the puck. And what the heck guy dupuis is so better. Mario is too scared of the other teams players!!!
Go Komets
Posted by: goody's girl | May 23, 2007 at 02:56 PM