Pascal Morency, who played last season for the Komets, has received a two-way contract offer to play for the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. That's the team that former Komets coach Pat Bingham is now an assistant with.
But here's the trick: If Morency is sent down from the AHL, Bridgeport would like all its players to go to Utah of the ECHL. The Komets are trying to work something out to get Morency back if he's sent down, but Komets general manager David Franke said: "It's probably a done deal and Pascal is going there to Utah if he doesn't make the AHL roster."
Morency may even get an invitation to the New York Islanders' training camp.
With more bad news, Franke said Matt Syroczynski wants to play in the ECHL next season and the Komets are out of the picture.
OK, need some good news? Defenseman Guy Dupuis is close to re-signing -- it could happen as soon as Thursday -- and the Komets hope to hear from Bruce Richardson within five days, and they're confident he will return. The Komets have also made contract offers to David Hukalo and Kevin Hansen.
Finally, click here to read a story on the new IHL from ProHockeyNews.com.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
That Sucks!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | June 27, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Hit,
It's just the continuance of the mass-exodus from this league, players with years left in them should get out while they can. This league is going to be for rookies trying to get their foot in the door or veterans who have no where else to go.
Posted by: Brad Lyons | June 27, 2007 at 09:58 PM
I am happy for Pascal....but sad for us. He was fun to watch last year. I am sure there will be a whole new cast of characters we can surely find another spark plug to root for.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | June 27, 2007 at 10:07 PM
Wonder why Syro wants to play in the ECHL? I wonder...could it be the perception that this league is not as well thought of in the hockey world? YES>>>THat also would be the same reason for Pascal...I agree with what you said there Brad.
Posted by: David | June 27, 2007 at 11:16 PM
brad you just described the uhl and what its been for the last 15 yrs so why dont you quit complaining and jump on the bandwagon to help make it a success.
Posted by: chuckitt | June 27, 2007 at 11:29 PM
What Brad says is true and it is also the reason why the league has not been very successful. People like to see as many faces as possible return to the team and the community. We keep talking about the good ole days of the "I". Those days were great because we saw the same guys come back year after year. They stuck around during the summer months and many of them stayed after their playing days were over. We get a couple here and there now but is not the same. Change can be good but when it happens constantly it is called instability.
Posted by: Shawn Barva | June 28, 2007 at 06:46 AM
Players like Morency and Syrocyznski probably still have hopes of playing at a higher level and unfortunately with the rule change the IHL are instituting, there very likely no chance that advancmemt can happen.
I respect both players decision to look out for themselves and wanting to get a shot, but who knows, if things don't work out after a year or two, they could be right back in a K's uniform.
Posted by: Greg | June 28, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Morency and Syrocyznski were a joy to watch. And Greg is right. If things don't don't work out for them at the next level, they may be back. That idea goes a long way in proving the Peoria idiot right about the playing level of the league. "AA" hockey implies that a player has a shot. "A" level hockey, to me, are the Al Bundys of the world reliving their glorious high school days in a Friday night men's rec league. Fort Wayne is better than that. With the support the fans have given for over 50 years, they deserve better than that.
Posted by: Shawn Barva | June 28, 2007 at 09:16 AM
Chuckitt,
I'm not complaining, I'm being realistic--there's a difference ;-) I can't help make this league a success, that's up to the league and the owners of the league. All I can help do is support the club with my money or not support them, voting with my wallet.
Morencey will be missed, but he'd be a fool to play in this league next summer. Whether you wish to accept it or not, the IHL took a major step backwards this summer--they say it's to move forwards, but again that will take time and right now--both time and credibility are in short supply for the Frankes. Also whether you wish to believe it or not, the IHL is pretty much now an "Independent League" such as what you find in Minor League baseball.... there are leagues out there that are open to anyone who can play, they have are full of guys who couldn't make it anywhere else or is just too old to play anywhere else. As a fan, you want to see the same guys come back--but you also wish for them to advance. There is virtually NO option like this now, so why would someone with years left want to come play in this league? I'll point it out again...Frenchie left, Goodwin, Laroque, and quite a few others including Morency, Syrcosnki, etc. IF this league had promise, most of those would have hung around. Sometimes "leaving for family reasons" gets triggered because events happen making it a good idea to leave. I've been around minor league sports for many years, I know how it works.
Posted by: Brad Lyons | June 28, 2007 at 10:18 AM
St. Pierre left becasue he got a better deal from another "Independant League". Goodwin reitred, Laroquce Ruid went to play in Europe. Right now the only two we know who are going to the AHL/ECHL are Morency and Syroczynski.
Don't assume evryone wants to see these guys move up. I believe it's just the opposite. Most fans want to see guys player here for 3-5 years. In "AA" that means most likely no advancement. Being in the AHL is a novel idea, but one I don't think is attainable. Even a majority of the players in the ECHL don't make it all the way and if they do it's most likely for a cup of coffey.
Posted by: Greg | June 28, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Why don't you wait to start your complaints. Players will start coming to this league after they see what it has to offer.
Do you have crystal balls to back up your claims of people leaving? I was scared of computers when they first came out, turns out, they work pretty well.
THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! (tear)
Posted by: Junior | June 28, 2007 at 10:48 AM
the uhl has always been an independent league. what the ihl is trying to do, is keep it that way, but cut the travel costs, have solid ownership group, and expand where hockey will last more than a season or two. the only place a player has a real chance of advancing to the show is the ahl. everywhere else is a dream. if you produce in aa or single a, someone will scout you and if you have a shot you might get it. even in the echl, other than a few top guys on the team, the rest are just the same as our players, bodies filling a spot and making some money and still living a dream. so lets give it a chance and see how it works out. as to the guys leaving, in what year didnt we have a bunch of guys leave?? cant blame anybody for going to europe or giving a higher league a shot. sit back and discuss the signing and stop worrying about who wont be here.
Posted by: chuckitt | June 28, 2007 at 11:08 AM
If you haven't seen the ECHL level of hockey it is weak. Everyone wants hitting and fighting, but that doesn't happen in the E. Weaker skilled players trying to play the NHL style game, it doesn't work. It is very, very boring hockey. And Chuckitt hit the nail on the head with his above comment.
Posted by: Junior | June 28, 2007 at 12:19 PM
I think for guys like Syro who have size and don't like fighting, the IHL is not the place to be. Whether he really has a better chance to get to the AHL from the ECHL is a matter of perception at least and maybe reality too. But what is real is that a 6-5 guy who doesn't like to fight is not going to like playing in a league with the likes of Tidball when there is no instigation penalty for most of the game.
Posted by: Rick | June 28, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Turtle, anyone? I did like when Syro beat the crap out of Rockford's Brown.
Posted by: Junior | June 28, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Now that I think about it, I wonder how Hansen feels about that instigator rule change too and how he feels about Tidball maybe still playing in the league. I thought what Tidball did to him should have gotten Tidball banned for life. I guess we will get an indication of how Hansen looks at it when we find out if Hansen accepts the K's contract offer or not.
Posted by: Rick | June 28, 2007 at 03:29 PM
I hope someone close-lines Turdball and knocks him out for weeks on end....maybe that would knock some sense into him or some dumb out of him. He is a piece of crap. Maybe this year, we might have a team that would stand-up for a fellow teammate that is getting beat to death instead of standing around watching it.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | June 28, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Rick: If Hansen is afraid to play in an entire league because of one player in that league, his career is over.
Brad: How many guys leave the CHL to try the ECHL? Or Europe. Just as many, I suspect. I suspect there are Nabobs on the CHL blogs having the same fatalistic views.
How would you feel about a reviewer writing that your new book was trash, inferior to other similar ones and was doomed to failure BEFORE IT WAS EVEN WRITTEN OR READ?
Don't you see you are acting in the same manner?
Posted by: Skate | June 28, 2007 at 06:14 PM
Welcome to the new Federal League, I mean IHL. It's a sad day for hockey. If that is the type of fan that will be at the coliseum this year, maybe I should stay home.
Posted by: Shawn Barva | June 28, 2007 at 06:23 PM
If memory serves, the Chiefs really took off in the standings AND AT THE BOX OFFICE one they acquired a "whole new attitude."
They won the Federal League playoffs, too.
"THE CHIEFS ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE FEDERAL LEAGUE!!!!!"
Posted by: Skate | June 28, 2007 at 06:59 PM
It really sucks. I'm with Hit and Brad on this one. I will miss Pascal. He took the game seriously. You could see it in him from the start. I hope we get another spark plug too. I know we need to get over all the changes. I got a feeling we all will be sitting there wishing we had last years team and even (sucky Hawthorne officiating) the games. I know the Komets will survive this. But its sure going to be hollow in the jungle for a little while. Sad very sad :(
Posted by: Goalie Girl | June 28, 2007 at 09:36 PM
i hope all you doomsayers stay home. leaves more budweiser for me.
Posted by: chuckitt | June 28, 2007 at 10:42 PM
As everyone can see people are wantin out of this league...why did the komets waste picks on the likes of chaz johnson and bennefield and Durdin....None of these guys will report...if they are smart they are goin to do what everyone else is doin and get out...if anything this league will turn out like the prospect league that indy plays in....the frankes suck!!!!
Posted by: Kometfan | June 28, 2007 at 11:01 PM
Chuckit, you can have yer stinkin' six-dollar beers. I paid less at the RBC Center in Raleigh.
Posted by: Turner | June 29, 2007 at 09:50 AM
have a nice time there.
Posted by: chuckitt | June 29, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Chuckitt, you mean more Bud's for us!!!!
Seriously, I like the idea of you naysayers staying home. Shorter bathrooms, better seats, no one yelling stupid things, booing, throwing beers on the ice, etc. It would be great!!
Posted by: Junior | June 29, 2007 at 02:07 PM
Less crowds, means less profits, means higher ticket prices, means more naysayer, means less crowds, means less profits, means higher ticket prices, etc. etc.
Posted by: Greg | June 29, 2007 at 02:12 PM
I would venture to say that if there is 100 naysayers then I would be surprised.
Posted by: Junior | June 29, 2007 at 02:29 PM
chuckitt, the LAST thing you need is more Budweiser.
There's only really about a half dozen or so negative Nabobs that post here -- maybe less if they are using more than one name.
The same tired, unprovable, undocumentable arguments post after post.
I bet those 6 are a real RIOT at a party.
Posted by: Skate | June 29, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Because Chuckitt and Skate were the most positive posters this past season......whatever! LOL
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | June 29, 2007 at 06:50 PM
no "kometfan" frankes do not suck you do! you aint a fan.
Posted by: rightmind | June 29, 2007 at 07:08 PM
Do Nabobs eat Shish-ka-Bobs?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | June 29, 2007 at 07:14 PM
I am not a naysayer. I am only worried about the long term quality of the league as a whole. I am not too worried about the Frankes getting high quality players. They have done wonders, the last 7 years or so, in getting players that could probably play at a higher level. That is a testament to their professionalism and to the quality of the city as a whole.
It is the comments made by the players during the season that bothers me. After the first blow up with Rockford last season, Justin or Blake quoted a player saying that it would be hard for them to stay in the league if the poor officiating and goonery continued. Where are they now?
Posted by: Shawn Barva | June 29, 2007 at 09:33 PM
It was at Elmira....and it was Richardson who said that....and last I heard he was coming back this season and the Komets have been using Bruce to scout talent and help in the decision making of the team this summer.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | June 29, 2007 at 10:43 PM
i wasnt a negative blogger this season, im a realist who states my opinions without callling other people names. i am excited about this comming year cause i see the frankes and the other owners trying to make changes for the good of the games future and not just add a team here and there to gget their admission money. i grew up with the old ihl and witnessed its growth into the best triple a league in existance. then i saw first hand the greed of some of the owners and the idiotic expansion into large far away markets. i even saw the attempt to compete with the nhl and we all know the nhl wasnt going to let that go without reprisal. the frankes were smart and got out at the best time. nows a good time to rekindle the spirit of the old ihl and build it back into a respectaable bus league who someday might once again become a triple a alternative to the ahl. who knows? but im willing to wait and see!!! if you other dont like it or want something different, then stay home and maybe youll end up being correct. but im gonna do all i can to make it a success.
Posted by: chuckitt | June 29, 2007 at 11:46 PM
I agree....let's wait and see. If they are going to bring in some "gritty" players who are going to make the game entertaining (as Morency did) then I am all for it!
Can I start the chant....We want Stewy we want stewy!!!
Posted by: Shane | June 30, 2007 at 12:16 AM
Not a komet fan i have been goin to komet games since i was a baby....i remember the good ole days with the REAL IHL...not this fake league...6 teams...most of the guys who are smart are gettin out of here now...if anything else the players will get sick of play8in the same team 16 times....shorten the schedule this year to like 40 something....and cut out all the week day games....i mean all teams are goin to make it to the playoffs....if its a four team playoff format it is goin to be dumb....the frankes are dumb...they should have took us out of this league instead of tryin to rejuvenating it..i mean port huron..since the komets have came to the U/I they have had 4 different names..the Bordercats, the Beacons, the Flags, and now the Icehawks...what a joke just like this league
Posted by: kometfan | June 30, 2007 at 12:19 AM
I'm with you on what you say Chuckitt. I was just razzing you a little. You and Skate both keep telling people to stay home. I can see it now...the 2 of you at all the games by yourselves....which one of the two of you is going to do the twist? At least the darn wave won't happen if only 2 are there. I hate the wave. It sucks.
I am excited about the IHL. I think it is a bold and great move. It is time someone has the balls to stand-up and try something new that excites the fans instead of the Euro crap we watched the last 5 years. I am ready to watch the heads role at the MC this season.
Sign some players that we can get excited about....Wonder if Ryan Jorde will scare everyone in the IHL too? LOL
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | June 30, 2007 at 12:57 AM
Hit, First off, I DON'T like to be clumped in with chuckitt, MAN.
He'll have to be the one who does the twist, 'cause I won't even LOOK at that guy anymore.
Once again, we agree: The wave sucks. If we can say that on here.
I'd love to see the War Memorial with 10,503 every night. The only people I have ever suggested miss a game are the ones who already believe the league will suck so bad that no one will want to come anyway.
Reading their posts one here is bad enough. I just don't wanna have to listen to them complain about how they spent money on their seat and then hate every thing about the experience. Just save your money and others around you the misery of listening to your complaints.
What did that kid say to you, anyway?
Posted by: Skate | June 30, 2007 at 06:44 AM
Didn't the NHL have 6 teams at one point?
Posted by: Skate | June 30, 2007 at 06:45 AM
Yes, it did...100-years ago.
Posted by: Brad Lyons | June 30, 2007 at 11:20 AM
http://my.funtrivia.com/tournament/Charlies-Trivia-52451.html
Sunday July 1st starts a new tourney. Congrats to Iceman (don't even know if he blogs) on winning June.
Posted by: Charlie I | June 30, 2007 at 06:57 PM
I blog, but since we don't have a minor league hockey team in my neck of the woods, I don't have much to say.
Do you Komet fans have room on your bandwagon for someone from South Bend?
Posted by: Iceman2415 | July 01, 2007 at 02:02 AM
1942-1967 the NHL had only 6 teams: Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers.
For the majority of those years, they played 70 games a season.
Posted by: Shutterbug | July 01, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Folks from South Bend are always welcome. Especially if you sre a Notre Dame fan lol
Posted by: Charlie I | July 01, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Yes, I am a Notre Dame fan, and a proud one at that.
Please forgive me if my comments are seen as way off line, but....
I'm anxious to see how tired guys will be about playing each other so many times. That being said, the Original Six era of hockey, brought out the big rivalries that are prevelent in the NHL today and I can see the same thing happening here in the IHL (not saying that the talent and play will be the same, far from it).
I'm unhappy that Morency will be heading east (or west to Utah), as he was a sparkplug in the games that I watched and he will be missed by all the fans. I thought that Ruid was a great pickup, but he couldn't win a draw to save his life and Larocque looked like he wasn't there half the time (which was a FAR cry from when I played against him when I was younger). I'm not sure if Syro is ECHL material, however, if that is his dream, I say, GO FOR IT. The worst that can happen is that he doesn't make the team, at least he has the desire and heart to try.
I would really like to see Gascon, Hukalo, Bruce, the entire D (sans Larocque and yes, I'd like to see Arthur and Tromblay [Damn that was a cannon that he scored with!] back) and McWhinney.
I do believe that the Komets will get at least 5 players to sign from the draft: Durdin, Chewedoruk, Pilkington, Kautz, and Degagne (which would obviously mean forwards would be the priority before camp opens.
It should be an interesting summer to watch who signs where. I believe that the Komets will put the best product on the ice of any of the six teams in the league and by April (hopefully when the Komets are hoisting the Calder-Turner-Brosal-Pickard Cup), we'll all look back and wondered what the hell we were all griping about.
Just my two cents, so please feel free to rip my comments as you wish, but please, be gentle, it's my first real post :)
Posted by: Iceman2415 | July 01, 2007 at 06:55 PM
you probably dont belong on this blog cause your comments are too positive and make way too much sense!!! welcome from a dinosauer.{almost as old as skate and prettier than blake}man!
Posted by: chuckitt | July 01, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Any word on if they ae bring McWhinney back yet?
Posted by: Goalie Girl | July 01, 2007 at 09:36 PM
why bring McWhinney back...did you not go to the games that he let up 6 goals and the komets kept having to score to tie it or try to take the lead....when the komets did tie it he let up a goal 2 seconds later....i talked to some players last year about his playing time and they said in practice he still does not have everything down and would take a while....bring in some real goalies they had the chance to bring in Kevin Reiter..why didnt they..they wanted st. pierre who couldnt win a cup for us....
Posted by: kometfan | July 01, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Every game I went to the Komets won (Except game 5 against the whining cry babies) and McWhinney never played. (Jokingly) I didn't know that McWhinney was even on the roster until I saw his Orange mohawk while he was on the bench for the playoffs.
I like Reiter, he'd look good in Black and Orange. I also like Jason Tapp, unfortunately he's unavailable. In McWhinney's defense, if I was only playing once every month, I'd look like crap too. All I'm saying is just give him a shot to play, if he's not the guy, then I'm sure Degagne is more than capable between the pipes.
Chuckitt, not quite sure if that's a compliment (hoping it is), but I know that the guys on the ice are giving their all and can do much better than I can, thus all of the positive comments from me. Just don't get me started on the officiating....
Posted by: Iceman2415 | July 01, 2007 at 10:38 PM