Center Bruce Richardson will play next season with Wichita of the Central Hockey League.
"It's a disappointment," Komets general manager David 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 spent one season with the Komets as a player/assistant coach.
I will have more on this later in the day.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
It will be interesting to hear Bruce's comments on this. I'm sure the Wichita offer was a good one, but I wonder how much the change in the IHL led to his decision?
Posted by: Greg | July 09, 2007 at 04:13 PM
Very little Greg....problay more to do with money
Posted by: Steve65497 | July 09, 2007 at 04:35 PM
CRAP!!!!!
Posted by: Junior | July 09, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Time to loosen up the purse strings. Let's not blow it all on Pokey Reddick......
Posted by: JungleMonkey | July 09, 2007 at 05:30 PM
This is happening across the league. Not many teams have signed anyone at this point with a couple here and there. I said I would refrain from "negative" post, but I will say the type of play that FW is use to as a whole will suffer greatly this season. We will get the cast offs from the ECHL and CHL guys who either could not cut it or on there last leg. That is what this league will attract as far as players go. This will not be a AA caliber league more on the lines of signal A league. We will be more comparable to the SPHL which is more in lines of the UHL in the early days. I can say that because I have watched the SPHL a number times in my former town. While I understand the position of the Franke's wanting to "create" a bus league and more physical play IMO they are sacrificing a lot for something that may not even make beyond the first season.
Posted by: David | July 09, 2007 at 06:16 PM
Now that is some serious breaking news!!!!
Posted by: Brian Montgomery | July 09, 2007 at 07:37 PM
Sinlge A hockey. What ever! Nick Bootland, Tyler Willis, and Kory Karlander are back in the fold. Also it's expected that Adam Elzinga, Chris Busby, and Scott Dobben will be back in the K this year. Relax it's still early. Mabey it has something who is coaching the Komets this year just guess. Every year the league has lots turn over and everyone jumping off the bus.
Posted by: Andy | July 09, 2007 at 08:33 PM
Oh well.....
What kind of offers are we making for players. How many times all ready this off-season have we been out-bid by the CHL? I thought our salary Cap was higher than that league and we can't sign anyone....yet. Did the Frankes really want Bruce back?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | July 09, 2007 at 09:31 PM
if those teams throw big money at a couple of guys, then there wont be a lot left for the supporting cast. i think id take less money for a chance to win ,instead of getting big bucks and play with a bunch of senior leaguers.
Posted by: chuckitt | July 09, 2007 at 10:31 PM
The Kwings are going to bed pretty damn good!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | July 10, 2007 at 05:55 AM
Winning is always great at this level of hockey, but this is minor league hockey---you need to go where you have the chance to move up, if that chance is gone because of the years left in one's body--then you go where you can make enough income to survive. If the league isn't appealing, it may hurt your long-term career. THAT is why I feel many are abandoning this league. YOu can say all you want Frenchie left for family reasons, as did Goodie.... that is true, but THIS was the reason to do it now. If the league had an overly positive immediate and long-term future, I sincerely bet those guys may have hung around for another few years. Stability, good franchise, good pay, etc.... Take away the stability, all bets are off.
Posted by: Brad Lyons | July 10, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Thank you Brad my thoughts exactly. I want to be positive but I don't think guy can carry the team.
Posted by: Goalie Girl | July 10, 2007 at 07:54 PM