Ice Chips 06'-07'

Bye, bye Morency

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

Introducing the new site, the new K's

First of all, make sure you check out the The Journal Gazette's new web site: journalgazette.net. Bookmark it. We will be making improvements in the coming weeks and months, but it's a really good start. Click here to read the story about the site.

The URL for this blog, Ice Chips, remains the same. We will be working on bringing back Komets Korner, and it'll be better than ever before this season begins. In the meantime, click here for the Komets page and bookmark that.

Now, for the news of the day:

Here are the players the Fort Wayne Komets got in today's International Hockey League dispersal draft of players from Rockford, Quad City, Elmira and Chicago.

Round, player, position, former team, stats
1, Sergei Durdin, D, Quad City, 8 goals, 43 points, 69 games
2, Justin Chwedoruk, F, Quad City, 24 goals, 68 points, 71 games
3, Brett Pilkington, C, Quad City, 29 goals, 73 points, 73 games
4, Jesse Bennefield, RW, Rockford, 22 goals, 44 points, 52 games
5, Anthony Pototschnik, RW, Quad City, 0 points, 10 PIM, 6 games
6, Mike Sgroi, LW, Elmira, 3 points, 26 PIMs, 4 games
7, Travis Granbois, F, Quad City, 3 goals, 8 points, 45 games
8, Erik Anderson, C, Elmira, 13 goals, 50 points, 75 games
9, Mike Kautz, D, Chicago, 2 goals, 13 points, 70 games
10, Will McMahon, F, Quad City, 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 game
11, Shawn Degagne, G, Elmira, 2-2-0, 3.25 GAA, .902 SP
12, Bobby Kukulka, RW, Elmira, 24 goals, 36 points, 50 games
13, Frank Littlejohn, RW, Elmira, 42 goals, 59 points, 71 games
14, Chaz Johnson, RW, Rockford, 14 goals, 26 points, 45 games

Komets coach Al Sims was ecstatic with the way it turned out.

"I think we're really pleased," he said, "considering we had the sixth (and final) pick. We didn't think Sergei Durdin would be available. He's one of the top defensemen in the league. ... You want guys who show up and play hard and he certainly did that this season."

As for getting Chwedoruk and Pilkington, Sims said they were steals.

Keep an eye on Degagne; Sims said he's known the goalie for years and tried to sign him before. He believes this could be a good goalie for the Komets. Meanwhile, Sims has called Dan McWhinney, the Komets' backup last season, but said he hasn't heard back. The Komets are still hopeful he'll return, though.

As for the late picks of big names like Littlejohn, Johnson and Kukulka, it was a strategic move by the Komets. Those players are expected to play in either the American Hockey League or with Elmira in the ECHL; but if things fall through, the Komets wanted their rights.

Some teams snatched up players already committed in early rounds, which seems like a mistake to me. Draft guys you can actually get to your teams; save the late rounds for the gambles. You reading Flint?

Looking around the league, I thought Flint had a strange draft taking guys like Frederic Cloutier, signed in Europe, and Nathan Lutz, maybe off to the ECHL. Port Huron had a great draft getting goalie Marty Magers, forward Drew Otten and a lot of toughness. If Kalamazoo gets Cris Busby in, the Wings will be scary.

I'm guessing, in most cases, these teams will get three of their drafted players into training camp.

"If we can get our top three picks signed," Sims said, "it'll have been a successful draft."

By the way, check out the new poll on the left side of this page.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Draft results

Click here for the results of the UHL's dispersal draft. I will have more on this later in the day.

Books, names and trophies

There has been much confusion out there regarding the International Hockey League record book. Is it blank? Or is it a continuation of the United Hockey League book?

The answer has yet to be determined.

"It's a decision the Board of Governors still has to make," said Paul Pickard, the IHL's new commissioner. "Will we begin with the 2007-08 season or inherit the old book?"

At least one newspaper, the Muskegon Chronicle, has reported a new record book is a done deal. Pickard and others within the league said no such determination has been made.

Personally, I have no problem with tossing the old record book simply because the UHL's bookkeeping from its early years was really spotty and points were often just doled out to get players famous. Start anew and do a better job of it.

Meanwhile, Pickard stressed that the IHL is a new league, not just the UHL with a new name. He admitted there has been confusion on this. It begs the question, if that's the case, then how can the IHL be having a dispersal draft of players Wednesday from a league that no longer exists?

It's a complicated matter I'm told, encompassing legal issues, the hope that the suspended Chicago franchise maybe enters the IHL and it'll help to make sure there isn't just a bidding war for free agents.

The only thing Pickard would say on that matter: “We want to make sure that all the players from teams who participated in the United Hockey League have some place to go."

Meanwhile, still no word on a championship trophy. They have investigated options that have ranged from keeping the Colonial Cup in its current form, changing its name or even getting the Turner Cup from the defunct old IHL from the Hockey Hall of Fame.

I say, if you're starting anew, send the Colonial Cup to the Hall of Fame and make something new and cool. Something like the Richard Brosal Wiretap Cup.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Ugh, more from Peoria, but it's not all bad

Check out this column from the Peoria Journal Star. I never, ever, thought I'd agree with something Dave Eminian wrote, but I do on some of this. I believe they should have left the International Hockey League name alone, let it rest in peace.  As you know, I think it's a cosmetic change, one that screams of trying to dredge up the good old days and will be highly confusing for fans familiar with the old and new 'I'. But I hadn't really thought of the point Eminian brings up: Maybe this is insulting to some players from the old IHL.

That being said, Eminian needs to get over his vendetta against the IHL/UHL. He doesn't have a clue what the caliber of play is like, and I wonder if he's ever seen a game. I did a huge project a few years back talking to scouts, players, coaches, general managers, etc., from all levels of play, and very few could see a difference in the play between the then-UHL and Eminian's darling ECHL. And I did my own research, seeing games at the ECHL and Central Hockey League levels. It's quite possible he has different findings, but I'd like to hear from someone outside of the Blues organization he's covered.

The IHL is on very shaky ground and really needs to prove it can survive and make positive changes in the future. But I'm sick of hearing from outsiders that the caliber of play has been so bad. The officiating has, but the play? It's been fine. Well, except for Port Huron.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Gratz now coaching

Brian Gratz, a Fort Wayne native and former Komets goaltender, has been hired as coach of the new Indiana (Penn.) Miners of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League. Gratz played collegiately at Penn St. Last season, he spent time as a volunteer assistant coach with Reading of the ECHL.

Today's story

In case you missed today's story on the announcements regarding the International Hockey League, click here.

By the way, Michael Franke said a dispersal draft will be held for the players from Quad City, Rockford, Elmira and Chicago on Wednesday.

The good and the bad

I've been accused of being little negative in the last week or so, but don't misunderstand. I'm guardedly optimistic about the direction the International Hockey League is taking.

I don't like the name change (click here to see my column on it from a month ago -- I told you I was correct on the name change), but I think the moves they're making are sound.

They needed some geographic sensibility and having the teams in such close proximity accomplishes that. I am also largely in favor of increasing the physical play. Scrapping the instigator rule, except for the final five minutes, and letting the guys play in the offensive zone should help that. So will increasing the roster size for games to 19, so we can bring back some enforcers.

So far, they're saying the veteran limits will remain the same. They should change that if they want to bring in more talent, but increasing the salary cap will help.

I know there are only six teams and that stinks -- the 15th meeting between Fort Wayne and Bloomington may be hard to stomach -- but I'm told these are the best group of owners the league has ever had. It's hard to disagree. And I'm sure we will see additions, so hopefully it's only one year of small ranks.

So, let's be optimistic about this. But let's also hope the IHL figures out how to release news better.

Abridged version of what happened tonight: We're all told that the news will come out at a 7 p.m. press conference via the internet. The B2 Networks was spotty for some of us and very little was said when the fans could actually tune in. Then no one from individual teams could talk to reporters until a teleconference with Paul Pickard took place. On that, reporters couldn't ask questions about specific rules changes because they weren't available until after Pickard got off the line. Talk about a wasted opportunity to make a public-relations splash.

Mercy, it was more complex than getting an interview with Peyton Manning after the Super Bowl. Alas, confusing times for everyone. Let's move on and hope the hockey is awesome next season. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Here's what it looks like

The Fort Wayne Komets called the International Hockey League home for 47 seasons.

They will do so again.

Looking toward a future it hopes will have improved quality of play and more geographic sensibility, the United Hockey League announced Wednesday it has changed its name to the International Hockey League.

The Komets had been in the UHL since 1999, but their owners purchased the rights to the IHL namelast year and were happy the get back to a moniker so well liked by their longtime fans.

The IHL will have six teams next season – Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Ill., and Michigan-based teams in Flint, Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Port Huron – and the IHL will play a 76-game schedule. Port Huron, which will now be nicknamed Icehawks, had recently suspended operations but then found new owners.

The league had 10 teams last season but franchises in Moline, Ill., and Rockford, Ill., moved to the American Hockey League, the team in Elmira, N.Y., went to the ECHL, and the franchise in Hoffman Estates, Ill., folded.

Despite the downsizing, the IHL’s new commissioner, Paul Pickard – he had previously been Kalamazoo’s general manager – said less could mean more.

“In using the history and tradition of the old International Hockey League, we’ll be concentrating on rivalries in a close geographic area and bring back tough physical hockey,” said Pickard, adding that scheduling will no longer be done by computers.

“We are going to do it manually, where we are sitting in a room, face to face, so each team can take full advantage of their home dates. … Part of the excitement will be capitalizing on the rivalries.”

Pickard outlined a number of changes that will happen to increase the physical play: Teams will be able to dress 19 players in games, one more than last season, increasing the ability to have an enforcer; penalties for instigating a fight will only be enforced in the final five minutes of games; officials will enforce rules by IHL guidelines, not those set forth by the NHL as had been the case in previous seasons.

“We’re interested in good physical hockey that will bring a lot of excitement to our fans,” Pickard said.

As for the officials, Pickard said fans could see several new faces calling games next season.

“The officials that work in this league will recognize that they’re working for our league and enforcing our (edicts), not those of the National Hockey League or American Hockey League,” he said.

The salary cap will increase by an undisclosed amount next season, but costs will become more maneagable, Pickard said, with teams being so close to one another. Pickard also pledged greater scrutiny will be given to future incoming ownership groups, after failing in cities like Columbus, Ohio, Danbury, Conn., and Roakoke, Va., in recent years.

Here are the full rules changes (I just got them):

-          The instigator penalty has been eliminated except during the final five minutes of a game.

-          The game lineup has been increased to 17 skaters and 2 goaltenders.

-          In regards to secondary altercations, players will receive a 10-minute misconduct as opposed to a game misconduct.

-          If a dive and hook occur on the same play, only one penalty is to be called.  Diving takes precedence over hooking in that situation.

-          Officials will have tighter standards in the neutral zone and a looser standard in the attacking zone to promote battles in the corners and in front of the net.

-          With a tied score at the end of regulation, there will be a 5 minute 4 vs. 4 sudden-death period.  If the score remains tied after the overtime period, a three-skater shootout will take place (advancing to sudden-death if needed).  There will be no resurfacing of the ice before the shootout.

This league wonders ...

The UHL, which is now the International Hockey League (more on that later tonight), wonders why it has image problems. Here's a good example. They said the news will be at 7 p.m. during its press conference, which didn't work for more than a few people on B2 Networks.  Then it turns out member teams can't talk about anything until late tonight because there will be more information given out on a media conference call with new commissioner Paul Pickard, where the fans can't hear it. I'll let you know what he says, but really, if you say the news will be at 7 p.m., don't keep more for 8:30 p.m.

History of the UHL world

With the big news coming today, maybe we should take a look back at the evolution of the UHL. Here are some notes of interest:

1991 – Colonial Hockey League is founded by five charter members: two Michigan-based teams, the Flint Bulldogs and Michigan Falcons, who played in Fraser, along with Ontario-based teams, Brantford Smoke, St. Thomas Wildcats and Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks. Former NHL referee Robert Myers is first commissioner.

1994 – Michael Forbes becomes new commissioner.

1996 – Muskegon Fury owner Tony Lisman becomes interim commissioner.

1997 – Name is changed to United Hockey League. Richard Brosal becomes commissioner.

1998 – UHL holds All-Star Game for the first time.

1999 – Fort Wayne Komets drop from International Hockey League to UHL. A collaborative marketing campaign between NHL and UHL begins.

2000 – UHL gets further credibility when Kalamazoo, Mich., drops from IHL to UHL. For first time, a player promoted from UHL to NHL with goaltender Dieter Kochan going from Binghamton to Tampa Bay. Later in the year, UHL goes to 15 members, its largest ever.

2002 – International news is made when Komets’ 42-year-old equipment manager, Joe Franke, who had never played professionally, is forced into net and guides team to victory in an overtime shootout.

2003 – Komets’ Colonial-Cup clinching game draws league-record 10,593 fans.

2004 – UHL’s poor expansion decisions epitomized by folding of Columbus (Ohio) Stars midseason, while they’re in first place, with four players and a coach set to appear in the All-Star Game, dropping UHL membership to 11 teams.

2005 – With NHL lockout going on, players such as Chris Chelios, Derian Hatcher, Bryan Smolinski, Sean Avery, Barret Jackman Ryan Johnson, Jamal Mayers, Bryce Salvador and Michael Rupp suit up in UHL. Some of them refuse to play road games; others ask to be treated like normal minor-leaguers.

2006 – With 14 teams in seven states, UHL seems to be coming into prominence. It is short-lived. National attention is given to Danbury (Conn.) Trashers owner James Galante being arrested on charges of racketeering, extortion and witness tampering. Through investigations into his business practices, Galante is revealed to have been exceeding the UHL salary cap by roughly $750,000. Wiretaps made public implicate Brosal in covering up Galante’s attempted assault on a referee. The Trashers fold, along with teams in Adirondack, N.Y., Richmond, Va., Roanoke, Va., St. Charles, Mo., and Fraser, Mich. UHL decides to buckle down on teams breaking the salary cap.

2007 – Brosal resigns to work for B2 Networks. Marquee franchises in Rockford, Ill., and Moline, Ill., move to higher-level American Hockey League. Elmira, N.Y., moves to ECHL. Teams in Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Port Huron, Mich., suspend operations, leaving the UHL with five teams.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

From mergers to Moon Knight

So, do you still believe the rumors that the UHL will be merging with the Central Hockey League? We'll know for sure Wednesday night when the UHL makes it's much ballyhooed, certain to disappoint, announcement about its future.  But if you're doubting what I've been writing -- heck no, there won't be a merger -- check out this story from The Vindicator in Youngstown, Ohio.

"There was very minimal discussion regarding the United Hockey League," CHL vice president Steve Cherwonak told the newspaper.

Doesn't mean it won't happen in 2008. Don't count on it, though.

So will there be anything of substance announced Wednesday? Short of them outlawing goalie masks, eliminating the use of ice as a surface or going to co-ed play, I can't imagine anything they'll say won't be a letdown. But hey, I also thought IceHogs was a silly name for a hockey team, so what do I know? Nope, actually, still silly.

I'm betting what we hear is this: New name for the league (IHL anyone?), the resurrection of Port Huron and addition of a team from Ohio, increase of the salary cap, increase of roster size to 19 players so more enforcers, er, goons can be brought back for the fans who miss the Tommy Bolducs of the world, elimination of the veteran limit and a new commissioner none of us have heard of before. Oh, and there will be much elaboration on how being geographically sensible will be the savior of this league. True, but also hard to stomach if you're playing opponents 15 times a season. Which leads me to plead: if there are only five-to-seven teams, shorten the schedule.

Or I could be way off, and we'll be watching ECHL hockey next season. Yeah, right.

In closing, since it's been awhile, I'd like to thank the guys at the TNT Morning Show on 98.9 for continuing to have me on every Tuesday at about 9 a.m.  Sure, they've strayed to topics such as Moon Knight and Nitro -- it's sad I know about these things -- but at least I've been able to educate them on the important topics, like Ninja Warrior and hockey, lots of hockey.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Let's just play rollerball

Certainly, the UHL dug its own hole in this regard by not keeping its fans in the loop and waiting so long to announce the so-called news on the future of the league which will come out next Wednesday. But I'm really amused with so many of the rumors that have circulated this summer.

Some of my favorites:

• The Franke family will buy the Bloomington Prairie Thunder, just to avoid Fort Wayne's horrific performances against the Prairie Thunder. (Owning a miserably failed team in Kansas City didn't teach the Frankes any lessons.)
• The Franke family will buy the Port Huron franchise. (Hey, the market has done so well, who wouldn't want to invest?)
• The UHL will be absorbed by the Central Hockey League or the ECHL or both. (The UHL owners were just kidding when they said the leagues with teams all over the place are nuts, so joining the bigger circuits works out well.)
• Toledo will be in the UHL, playing in an inflatable bubble. ... Or was it Dayton? ... Or Indianapolis? .... Maybe Missouri? .... Oh, I know, Cincinnati? ... No, Traverse City.
• Reporters from Fort Wayne and Flint will square off in a cage match for charity because they're so bent out of shape reading each other's blogs. (Fort Wayne guarantees victory, of course, prioritizing speed over size.)
• The Chicago Hounds, who according to their web site last week had "seized operations," will resurface next week playing in South Bend.
• The USHL has better hockey than the UHL, and we should beg member cities to bring in junior hockey. Besides, according to the genius in Peoria, the UHL is Single-A anyway. I'm sure he's actually seen a game.
• Gag orders should apply to reporters.

OK, I know, we've run out of things to talk about before Wednesday's big announcements. What's the most off-the-wall thing you've heard this offseason? I'm not saying none of the stuff on message boards has been true, but very little of it has. I guess we'll see next week.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Some takes, and sour grapes

Today's column can be read by clicking here.

Also, as expected, the UHL announced that it will finally let the public know about its plans for next season during a live statement on the internet June 20. Click here to see the statement on that.

Also, check out this story by Brendan Savage of The Flint Journal. I agree and disagree with him. He's correct that the UHL's method of dispersing information is incredulous; by making announcements from Las Vegas -- at nighttime, no less -- it doesn't afford the writers much ability to ask questions. And by sitting on this information regarding new ownership in Flint, it does seem to be a disservice to the fans in that city.

As for Savage's statements about Fort Wayne media and ownership. Like too many fans, Savage, who does a good job at The Flint Journal and has been a help to me, is under the mistaken impression that the Komets organization is spoon-feeding information while other teams are abiding by rules.  It's not that cut and dry. Much of the information that has come out of Fort Wayne, not just from The Journal Gazette, has been from hard work, networking with sources around the hockey world. If we have cold, hard facts and bring them to the team -- realizing how much coverage the Komets get in this town -- sometimes they have to confirm it or they look silly. But much of what we've reported hasn't come from the Frankes. Sorry Brendan, it sounds like sour grapes to me.

Finally, Komets trainer Shawn Dundon, who is helping to auction off the jerseys of recently deceased fan Stacy Musice, said the following items will be on eBay starting Friday.

1)Frederic Bouchard Black Ft Wayne Komets 01-02 Season UHL

2)Bobby Stewart Mobile Mysticks "Blackout Jerseys: from 99-00 or 00-01 season ECHL

3)Andre Bashkirov Red Frederickton Canadiens 98-99 AHL

4)  David Alexander Beuaregard Blue Shawinagan Cataractes 96-97 QMJHL

5) Kevin St. Pierre White Komets O'Charleys 03-04 UHL

6) Aaron Macdonald Blue Swift Current Broncos 95-96 WHL

7) Igor Malykhin Ft Wayne Komets Christmas Jersey 00-01 UHL

8) Kelly Miller White Komets 50th Anniv UHL

9) Steve Lowe Blue Saginaw Gears UHL 99-00

10) Rob Guinn White Texas Wildcatters 03-04 Season ECHL

11)  Kevin Bertram White UMass Lowell Hockey East NCAA 96-00

12)  Ed Campbell White Binghamton Rangers 96-97 AHL

13) MIke McKay White Komets UHL 01-02

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Sims introduced, an enforcer soon?

The Fort Wayne Komets formally introduced Al Sims as their head coach at a news conference today. There was a lot of reminiscing about Sims' previous stint here -- he coached the Komets to the International Hockey League championship in 1993 -- but Sims said he knows he must move the team forward and not back.

"I think we all have to realize that this is a new time and almost a new place," he said. "Fort Wayne deserves a winner. ... There's pressure to here in this job and pressure to put an entertaining team on the ice."

Talking to people at the event, they seemed to think one big change with the UHL next season will increasing the roster size. It sounds as if teams will be able to play with 19 players, instead of the customary 18.

"If it happens," Sims said, "everybody's going to carry that extra player as probably  a policeman or a guy who can handle himself or protect his teammates."

General manager David Franke added: "It may allow everybody in the league to have a little more physicality on their team and maybe be more fan-friendly."

By the way, a story out of the Port Huron Times-Herald, quoting yours truly, said former Red Wings player Shawn Burr may be getting involved in a new ownership group in Port Huron.

If you want to hear audio of an interview with Sims from today, click here: Download sims_news_conference.WMA

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Ruid out, dispersal draft in

While the Fort Wayne Komets wait to hear from defenseman Guy Dupuis and center Bruce Richardson, both of whom having received contract offers, one player who won't be back next season is center J.C. Ruid.

Ruid was the Komets' leading scorer last season, with 43 goals and 94 points, and he finished third in league MVP voting behind Muskegon forward Todd Robinson and former Fort Wayne goaltender Kevin St. Pierre.

Ruid has signed to play in France, Komets general manager David Franke said.

"He's cashing in on the big season he had here," said Franke, whose team had made a contract offer to Ruid. "There was no way we could match that offer."

The Komets are set to introduce recently hired coach Al Sims at a news conference Tuesday. Sims who guided the Komets to a 1993 championship in the now-defunct International Hockey League, is a former coach with the NHL's San Jose Sharks.

The Komets are also making preparations for an upcoming dispersal draft of players from Rockford, Quad City, Elmira and Chicago, teams which have moved to different leagues or, in the case of Chicago, folded this offseason.

Franke said players from Port Huron, which recently suspended operations, won't be available because the Flags are expected to get new ownership and be revived later this week. Franke said a format and schedule for the dispersal draft hasn't been determined yet. It could take place at the league meetings next week in Las Vegas, though.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Stories on the hiring of Sims

For the main story, click here.

To read Ben Smith's column, click here.

And to read a short story on some fan reaction, click here.

More on Sims hiring

Much has changed for the Fort Wayne Komets since 1993.

Different league. Renovated arena. Modernized practice facility.

But by bringing back the coach who guided them to a championship14 years ago, the Komets hope the winning remains the same.

An exhaustive two-week search for a new coach concluded Thursday with the first name that came to the Komets’ minds – they have hired 54-year-old Al Sims, who led the Komets to a 12-0 playoff record en route to their last Turner Cup in the now-defunct International Hockey League.

Sims, who will take up resident in Fort Wayne in the coming weeks with his wife, Sue, could barely contain his excitement, after finding out he had been chose over the other finalist, Bill McDonald, 54.

“I’m feeling great,” Sims said. “We were waiting here, holding our breaths until we found out. Fortunately, it didn’t take a long time for them to come to the conclusion. We’re thrilled to be coming back to Fort Wayne.”

The Komets are now in the lower-level UHL, where they won a regular-season championship before Pat Bingham left the team to take an assistant coaching job in the American Hockey League on May 21.

Sims, 54, played 476 games in the NHL as a defenseman, tallying 46 goals and 165 points with Boston, Hartford and Los Angeles. He was paired with Bobby Orr for two seasons with the Bruins.

Sims retired 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.

“I think we’ve come full circle. My wife and I talked about it, this is where my coaching career started, as a player/assistant coach for Robbie Laird,” Sims said. “It’s a little bit strange coming back. It would probably be stranger if (Memorial Coliseum) were exactly the way I left it. It’s like walking into a new place now. The crowds were always great there and they’re still great.”

Sims parlayed his previous Fort Wayne 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 27-47-8.

“Coaching at the NHL level is a whole different ballgame than when I was coaching in Fort Wayne,” Sims said. “The players are obviously making more money and you have to get along with your superstars. In the minors, you can treat everybody pretty similarly and not have to worry about it. But one thing I’ve learned is how to coach all different kinds of players -- superstars, rookies, the veterans, and you learn how to tap into each guy’s resources.”

He has since been a head coach with Milwaukee of the IHL for three seasons, Reading of the ECHL for one season, Corpus Christi of the Central Hockey League for two seasons and Fort Worth of the CHL for one season. Sims has also been an assistant coach with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL and Mississauga, a junior team in the Ontario Hockey League.

Last season was his first in a solely management role, as general manager with the UHL’s Flint Generals. With the owner citing poor performance, he was fired with eight games remaining in the regular season, his team 38-31-9 and a playoff spot already clinched. One of his final acts was to trade Terry Marchant to the Komets for Bogdan Rudenko and Ryan Jorde.

(There will plenty more on this in tomorrow's paper.)

Sims hired as coach

Much has changed for the Fort Wayne Komets since 1993.

Different league. Renovated arena. Modernized facility.

But the by bringing back the coach who guided them 14 years ago, the Komets hope the winning remains the same.

An exhaustive two-week search for a new coach came to an end today with the first name that came to the Komets’ minds – they have hired Al Sims, who led the Komets to the championship of the now-defunct International Hockey League in 1993, when Fort Wayne went 12-0 in the playoffs.

The Komets are now in the lower-level UHL, where they won a regular-season championship before Pat Bingham left the team to take an assistant coaching job in the American Hockey League on May 21.

Sims, 54, played 476 games in the NHL as a defenseman, tallying 46 goals and 165 points with Boston, Hartford and Los Angeles. He was paired with Bobby Orr for two seasons with the Bruins.

Sims retired 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.

He parlayed his Fort Wayne 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 27-47-8.

He has since been a head coach with Milwaukee of the IHL for three seasons, Reading of the ECHL for one season, Corpus Christi of the Central Hockey League for two seasons and Fort Worth of the CHL for one season. Sims has also been an assistant coach with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL and Mississauga, a junior team in the Ontario Hockey League.

Last season was his first in a solely management role, as general manager with the UHL’s Flint Generals. With the owner citing poor performance, he was fired with eight games remaining in the regular season, his team 38-31-9 and a playoff spot already clinched. One of his final acts was to trade Terry Marchant to the Komets for Bogdan Rudenko and Ryan Jorde.

But being in the UHL had its benefits; it allowed Sims to reconnect with Komets general manager David Franke.

It was that comfort, along with Sims’ experience as a coach and track record as a recruiter, which landed him the job instead of the other finalist, Bill McDonald, 54, who coached the last two seasons with Austin of the CHL, going 50-44-13 before he was fired Feb. 5.

Terms of Sims’ contract weren’t available.

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It's official: Hounds fold

The UHL’s Chicago Hounds ceased operations after one season of play, citing the inability to reach a “reasonable lease” with the Sears Centre at Hoffman Estates, Ill. “It is a shame that the Hounds have to close down. I really believe that with reasonable rent and good home dates, the Hounds could have been a very successful franchise,” Hounds owner Craig Drecktrah said. The Hounds are the fifth team to suspend operations this offseason, leaving the UHL with five for next season. The Fort Wayne Komets said Greg Puhalski, who coached the Hounds after six seasons with the Komets, would not be a candidate for their vacant coaching position.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Then there were five?

The UHL's membership could be down to five teams -- at least for now.

Several sources have said that the Chicago Hounds are going to suspend operations in the coming days, after failing to reach a lease agreement with the Sears Centre.

"In all honesty, I do not expect Chicago to be back in the league, nor did we ever," Komets president Michael Franke said. "It would not be fair to us as league ownership groups to think that would work with the lease agreement they've been talking about."

Calls to the Hounds office were unanswered. In the playoffs, the team drew fans in the hundreds.

Already this offseason, the UHL has lost franchises in Rockford and Quad City, who both moved to the American Hockey League, Elmira, which went to the ECHL, and Port Huron, which suspended operations.

Though fans have feared this could spell the end of the UHL, Franke said there will likely be more than five teams next season -- there has been speculation Port Huron could return and a new city could be added -- and that announcements to be made in the coming weeks will reveal several changes that will strengthen the UHL, geographically and financially.

"The Komets are gearing up for what we think will be one of the most exciting seasons in the history of the franchise," Franke said. "We want our fans to understand we're working four the long-term viability of our franchise and our league."

Meanwhile, the Komets will name either Al Sims or Bill McDonald their next coach sometime this week.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Sims, McDonald final 2 for K's job

The Fort Wayne Komets considered about 20 applicants for their head-coaching post. Now they’re down to two.

After ruling out a third finalist, who has remained anonymous because he’s under contract to coach a team in the ECHL, the job will go to either Al Sims or Bill McDonald, both 54, both winners of championships elsewhere.

“I think we’ve narrowed the field down to those two,” Komets general manager David Franke said.

What set them apart?

“Their experience and that they’ve be at it for a long time,” Franke said. “They have the edge in experience and are proven recruiters. We just need to figure out which one we’re most comfortable with.”

Sims, who played 476 NHL games, led the Komets to a 1993 championship in the now-defunct International Hockey League. He was the San Jose Sharks’ coach in 1996-97. Last season, he was general manager of the UHL’s Flint Generals and was fired late in the season.

McDonald, whose playing career never got past the IHL, has coached three champions in the UHL and one in the Central Hockey League. He was fired late last season by the CHL’s Austin IceBats.

“We’re probably going to make a decision in a couple of days,” said Franke, whose last coach, Pat Bingham, left after one season to become an assistant coach with Bridgeport of the higher-level American Hockey League.

The Komets won the UHL’s regular-season championship last season.

“I’m just kind of waiting and hoping,” Sims said. “Everything went pretty well when I was there for my interview. I’ve been through this process during the last 15 or 20 years. This is what happens in the summer when you’re a coach.”

McDonald, who couldn’t be reached for comment, has done his interviewing over the phone. Not wanting to prolong the process any longer than necessary, the Komets probably won’t bring him to town.

But Franke said that’s not a reflection on who’s the front runner; they’re neck and neck.
One endorsement came from Malcolm Cameron, who coaches Texas of the ECHL. He had played for and been as assistant with McDonald.

“He loves guys who work hard,” Cameron said. “He’s got an enormous amount of contacts in the hockey world and that’s what you need. He’s got a charisma and he’s almost like a grumpy old man, which is fun.”

Sims and McDonald have coached against each other in the IHL and CHL.
“I know we both like teams that win,” Sims said. “Other than that, I don’t know how to compare us.”

The Komets will have to do exactly that in making their decision.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Cameron not the guy

Were it a different year, he might have loved the chance. But Malcolm Cameron, coach of the ECHL’s Texas Wildcatters, said he is not pursuing the Fort Wayne Komets’ vacant head-coaching job because he’s under contract and happy in Texas. Cameron had been rumored among some fans to be in the running. One candidate for the job remains anonymous, while Bill McDonald and Al Sims, the other finalists, could hear from the Komets this week.

Cameron did take the time to endorse McDonald, who he played for in Fort Worth and was an assistant coach for with Lubbock, for the Komets’ job.

“He’s a hard-working guy and always got the best out of me on the ice,” Cameron said.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

More on McDonald

By Justin A. Cohn
The Journal Gazette

The Fort Wayne Komets’ fans are always calling for more physical squads. Bill McDonald said he’d deliver, were he to get the team’s coaching job.

“They like the rough-and-tumble teams there in Fort Wayne and I would maybe like to get back to that, too,” McDonald said. “Remember, we used to have some battles when I was coaching against them.”

McDonald is one of three finalists for the post. Another is Al Sims, who coached the Komets to the 1993 championship in the now-defunct International Hockey League and went on to coach the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. The third remains anonymous, partly because he’s under contract to coach a team in the ECHL.

Like Sims, McDonald enjoyed greater success earlier in his career than in recent seasons. The one-time coach of the IHL’s Michigan K-Wings, he was 51-44-9 from 2002 to 2004 with Lubbock of the Central Hockey League and 50-44-13 over two seasons with Austin of the CHL, which fired him Feb. 5.

“It's a place in hockey at the AA level where you have your peaks and your valleys,” McDonald said. “If I'm fortunate enough to get the Fort Wayne job, I know it’s a place where the fans have high expectations and I’ll have high expectations. I’ve enjoyed great success in (the past) and will again.”

McDonald, 54, has won four championships, three with Thunder Bay of the UHL in 1992, 1994 and 1995, and one with Fort Worth of the CHL in 1997.

According to Muskegon Fury coach Bruce Ramsay, who was on those Thunder Bay teams, McDonald is a players’ coach.

“It was a while ago, but it was a great team and we had great chemistry. He was a big reason. For him, you want to give it everything on the ice,” said Ramsay, a former Fort Wayne player, who added those Thunder Bay teams were physical. “He's a Northern Ontario person like myself and that was the kind of game we grew up with. The physical aspect, we like those kinds of teams.”

Asked if he’s a players’ coach, McDonald said: “I think I can walk the line of getting the players' respect if I show them respect. I'm not a hard ass but I can walk the line. I know my teams have always played hard and they've gone through the wall for me.”

Komets general manager David Franke conducted more phone interviews Friday, though he continued to keep mum on the identity of the third candidate.

Asked about Malcolm Cameron, who is with the Texas Wildcatters and has been a popular guess among fans, Franke declined to comment. Another source said it is “absolutely not” Cameron, who couldn’t be reached for comment by The Journal Gazette.

A hiring is expected next week.

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