More on Richardson leaving

Bruce Richardson made quite an impression in his first season with the Fort Wayne Komets.

He had 15 goals, 47 points and 135 penalty minutes in 57 games, endured a painful injury -- a torn labrum in his hip -- that required surgical repair, helped coach the Komets to a regular-season championship and became wildly popular with fans at Memorial Coliseum.

His first season, however, was his last with the team.

According to Komets general manager David Franke, Richardson will play next season for the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League.

"It's a disappointment," Franke said. "But we made him a very good offer -- a very good offer -- and it had a second year that was his option. Obviously, he felt he needed to do this. We have no ill will. We'll move on as a franchise and Bruce will, too."

Richardson, 30, was a player/assistant coach with the Komets. It's unclear if he'll have the same role with Wichita, and it's also unknown if the Komets will have another player/assistant under new coach Al Sims.

"It just depends on who we come across this summer," Franke said.

Early in the summer, the Komets felt they were close to re-signing Richardson, who had nothing but good things to say about the team. But that was before head coach Pat Bingham left for an assistant-coaching job with Bridgeport of the higher-level American Hockey League and before the Komets' United Hockey League reformed as the six-team International Hockey League.

While the IHL's move toward more physical play would seem to suit Richardson's rough-and-tumble style, it seems the money was too good to turn down.

"It's a very nice contract (he got from Wichita), from what I've heard from his agent," Franke said, "and he went for it. The Central Hockey League is throwing a lot of money around out there."

Richardson couldn't be reached for comment, but last week he told The Journal Gazette: "We just have to look at the good and the bad from both teams. I have a wife and two kids and you have to consider what's best for the family and everything."

More will be coming on this later in the day and in tomorrow's paper.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Comments

[topshelf]

Well let me be the first to say that THIS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!

[Brad Lyons]

So am I still a nay-sayer, are ya'll starting to see the point I've been making here? Not being negative, just realistic fellers.

[Hit Somebody!!!]

How is the CHL out-bidding us for our players? Our Salary Cap is higher than the CHL as had been reported. What gives?

[Kometfan]

Sorry Mr. Cohn but I can not take it much longer... if the frankes really wanted to get bruce back for the fans and because of his exciting play they could have topped their offer....no why not spend a little and bring in some players to win a championship...This year will see a decrease in komet fans and hopefully drive the frankes out and someone else who has the brain power take over and get us to the ECHL or the AHL....leagues that are very dependable and exciting hockey.....I know for a fact i will not go to over half of the home games....unlike last year i didnt miss but 2 home games....i love hockey.....i love fort wayne komet hockey but its gettin to the point where I dont see its worth to waste 10 bucks a game to watch the same team for the 15th time!!! Must say LETS GO ICEHOGS!!!! Sure ill be going to a lot of their games instead of my hometown team's games!!!!!

[Hit Somebody!!!]

Why is the CHL and other leagues signing players like mad and this league is sitting around and doing nothing? You would think with the new league and marketing the product to other players that GM's would be busting their butts to get good players signed quick. This league is at a critical stage. It needs to put its best foot forward....I am afraid it is tripping all over itself so far.

[chuckitt]

big deal theres plenty of 15 goal scorers out there. we survived the year before without him and we survived this last year without chaulk and weve survived for many years without chin...big deal. if the guy was really worried about his family he would get a real job and stop screwing around in minor league hockey. they threw more money at him and he bit. now, the quality of players built around him is gonna be pretty bad..unless they are paying a lot under the table.

[Justin Cohn]

Bruce said the money was only a small part of this. So was the league direction, a small part. And his desire for a change of scenery and try a league with a shorter schedule. Small part. But add it all together ....

[Disgruntled Fan]

Kometfan,

I came to that decision a few years ago. I just couldn't stand the UHL's brand of hockey. But ten bucks? Where are you sitting? I always paid either 17 dollars for the upper arena (not the ridiculous nosebleeds) or the lower section for 19 dollars. I guess you must sit in the Pepsi section.

[Jerad Shaw]

I'm going to miss Bruce. From his hard nose play, to winking at my girlfriend in KZOO and backing down from my challenge. He was what Komet Hockey was all about. Hard nosed, and 100% at all times. That is what was missing from alot of guys last year. I remember the QC game on a Wednesday night after 3 lackluster performances. Bruce comes out and drops the gloves and it set the tone for the rest of the night. One of his quotes were he thought the Komets were the best organization he has played for and he will be able to say that 10 years from now when he retires. 10 years from now, maybe he will retire in a K's uniform. I wish him the best!!! Now let's sign some players and move forward. I'm starting to get antsy for HOCKEY NIGHT IN FORT WAYNE!!!

[Greg]

Kometfan, with a salary cap you have to be stratigic on how you spend your money. You pay can a couple of guys a ridiclous amount to play but then have nothing left to put around them, there's a lot more than just throwing money out there.

Richardson made a decision that was best for him and I respect that. Withthe fact that the komets last year didn't have a player signed til July 18 (I think that was becasue they hardly had Bingham for that long, but I could be wrong.) then I'll be as patient as I can. But just signing Guy isn't going to be enough, need other names out there as well.

[Greg]

BTW Kometfans-we the fans won't be seeing anyone team 15 times (unless you go on road trips). The most we'll see one team at the MC is 8 times.

[kzoo fan]

WHO CARES ??????

GO KWINGS!!!!!

[Skate]

Greg -- People throw out that "15" number even though it is grossly inaccurate because they want it simply to sound bad.

You are, of course, correct. The most we'll see anyone is 8 times, about once every 3 weeks or so.

[kometfan]

I understand the whole thing about the salary cap but how are these chl teams affording the players we can not afford??? Last year we signed a lot of high priced players...and if you do remember when quad city was always the tough team?? are you sure they weren't going under the table and breaking a few rules..its not hard to get away with it... and yea i sit in the pepsi section...I always sat in section 17 before they remodeld and still like sitting there...always have....Durdin I have heard is going to Europe and we can count out Johnson coming..he is an ahl caliber player and bennefield is hard to guess on....the komets should bring back Tyler Masters if they are smart..he was a heck of a goaltender and would be a great fit for the komets!

[Skate]

I'm hearing there's a lot of Danbury (maybe not that bad) under the table stuff in the CHL.

Colorado is among the worst.

[Kometfan]

well you gotta do what you gotta do to put together a solid team and until you get caught they will keep doing it!!

[Greg]

Then again, if the CHL has a soft cap then teams with money can go out and spend then pay the fine at the end of the year.