The Fort Wayne Komets have been in contract talks with Brandon Warner, a Fort Wayne native who played last season for Michigan State's national championship team, Komets general manager David Franke confirmed. Warner, 5-foot-11, 166 pounds, went to Carroll and played junior hockey for the Pittsburgh Forge. He had two goals and six points in 23 games with Michigan State. Franke said there could be news on a goaltender signing or two Wedneday. He said neither Shawn Degagne, Kevin Reiter or Dan McWhinney had signed on yet.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
I hate to sound disparraging already, but 166 lbs doesn't sound to big for the rouhg and tumble IHL.
I won't hold my breath on the goalie signings.
Posted by: Greg | August 14, 2007 at 03:37 PM
I know; That information came from the Michigan State PR.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 14, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Also, as memory serves, he was a forward at one point.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 14, 2007 at 03:53 PM
wait. so he is a forward or a goalie this Warner kid. I don't think he has much talent to be playing here if thats his stats.
Posted by: lovelost | August 14, 2007 at 05:11 PM
Brandon is a forward. Not too bad of a player for a third line if he signed here.
Posted by: Derick | August 14, 2007 at 05:43 PM
we don't need a kid like this. he isnt going to help us win a championship. i don't know anything about him but it doesnt sound like he can help us win.
Posted by: lovelost | August 14, 2007 at 06:03 PM
Anyone who played at Michigan State for 4 years has talent. That program is no joke. Most likely he would be a solid defenseman/forward at this level. If you don't know anything about him, then how can you say he won't help us? And if you are going by stats, one would think Kevin Schmidt wasn't a big part of our championship.
Posted by: komets10 | August 14, 2007 at 06:25 PM
it shows he is defense on the hockeydb.com i thought he was a forward. because 3 goals and 6 assists for four years is not promising. But i see he plays defense. my bad. He only played 45 games also over 4 years.
Posted by: lovelost | August 14, 2007 at 06:45 PM
Just keep in mind stats don't always tell the truth. Take a look at Matt Syroczynski's college numbers with Vermont and what he did in our league:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=62866
Posted by: komets10 | August 14, 2007 at 06:55 PM
he had alot more though. and time and other places played.
Posted by: lovelost | August 14, 2007 at 07:51 PM
Lovelost, how can you say you don't know anything about him and also he won't help? He should be a decent player for this level; as someone else wrote, you don't play at Michigan State without some talent. I'm not staking my reputation on it, but I have heard good things, long before the Komets had ever heard of him.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 14, 2007 at 08:43 PM
5 foot 11 and 166#....Is he a #2 pencil? Only kidding.
Hope he shows us all something. Hope they start signing some guys that can lay the hits out soon. Flint is going to be big and scary! They might not score many goals, but they might not need to either if they beat the crap out of everyone they play against. They will head hunt Chaulker and the rest of our forwards and goaltenders if we don't put some team toughness on the ice. I am not just saying 1 or 2 guys...we need a dog-on army it looks like.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 14, 2007 at 08:48 PM
Oh, and they also have the most feared player in minot league hockey, too! Ryan Jorde. I crack myself up.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 14, 2007 at 08:49 PM
minor.....we need an edit button.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 14, 2007 at 08:49 PM
i weigh more then this kid and i am 5'6"
Posted by: lovelost | August 14, 2007 at 09:00 PM
I wonder if he's wear No. 2. Doh, that one is taken.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 14, 2007 at 09:08 PM
Maybe he could trade Guy a sharpie for the rights to the #2 and his last name on the jersey could be PENCIL....
Just a thought. Run that one by Mr. Sproat.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 14, 2007 at 09:36 PM
Have seen the kid play at MSU. Could be just fine at this level.
Posted by: Tony E | August 14, 2007 at 10:02 PM
not sure how a part time college player can make an impact in the ihl.
Posted by: chuckitt | August 15, 2007 at 12:11 AM
Played for the Ft. Wayne Komets (Midget AAA) in 2000-01 where he totaled 48 points (20 goals, 28 assists) and 182 penalty minutes in 59 games ...
i found that on his profile on the MSU website.
Posted by: lovelost | August 15, 2007 at 12:17 AM
chuckitt, Brian Gratz played in the UHL and he was less than a part time college player ;-)
Posted by: Tony E | August 15, 2007 at 01:34 AM
Keep in mind, part time at Michigan state would probably make him a full timer at Bemidji State or any number of other smaller colleges the Komets have found players from over the years.
Posted by: Tony E | August 15, 2007 at 01:35 AM
How big was Danny Stewart?
Posted by: Tera | August 15, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Perhaps if the K's announced some significant signings before announcing this bit of news it may be viewed a little differently.
Martin Gascon had a pretty good season for the Komets and is no bigger than Brandon Warner and some people LOVED Erick Tremblay and he didn't put up much stats prior to joining the K's and only played in 1 playoff game.
Local kid coming back (maybe) to play for the K's could be something to root for and he shouldn't be totally discarded until we actually see the kid play, if he signs at all.
Posted by: scoops | August 15, 2007 at 10:49 AM
what about eric tremblay? any word on if the komets are trying to sign him cohn?
Posted by: IcyKometFan84 | August 15, 2007 at 11:03 AM
i wouldnt really say brian gratz played in the uhl. thats stretching it a bit. im just saying that if we want our league to keep upgrading itself then i dont see how a part time college player will help. now maybe it was politics or he was hurt or the coach just dindt play the third and fourth liners very much , who knows. im more than willling to give the kid a chance but im just saying that its not a big signing and we right now are moving into the time that some big signings need to start happening!
Posted by: chuckitt | August 15, 2007 at 11:54 AM
just talked to a Komet insider Chaz. is going to sign with us,also he is a two way player with an ahl team.
great news for the Komets
Posted by: frank | August 15, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Went to Carroll with Brandon Warner. Would be a great pick-up for the team and the fans. I'd say hes bigger than 5'11 160lbs. More like 6'1 190-200ish now. He is for sure bigger than Bozo. Michigan State's hockey program is alot better than some of the other schools that rookies in this league come from. Not to mention he was on a FULL ride there. He's always played defense. The kid is a champion, lots of success on every team he has been a part of. Hopefully the news on Chaz is true. One of the guys you hate to play against, but love to have on the team!
Posted by: getBW | August 15, 2007 at 01:35 PM
ok what does 2 way player with an ahl team mean?
Posted by: IcyKometFan84 | August 15, 2007 at 02:08 PM
i do hope we get Johnson and Trenblay.
Posted by: lovelost | August 15, 2007 at 02:09 PM
I for one will not be shooting off fireworks if Johnson gets signed. But then again here a year gone the next. If I have to put up with him for a year or two no big deal. Maybe fans after seeing his act cost the Komets a few wins will think twice about being happy a loose cannon is on the team. Or maybe fans will cheer him when he sucker punches someone from behind, the same thing they hated him for when he did it to the Komets.
Posted by: Tony E | August 15, 2007 at 02:10 PM
It will mean the he's under contract with an AHL team but if sent down will be sent to the Komets. I think?
Posted by: Greg | August 15, 2007 at 02:28 PM
Lovelost, Tembley was signed in the ECHL if I'm not mistaken.
Posted by: Greg | August 15, 2007 at 02:28 PM
erick tremblay? theres alot of Tremblays out there.
Posted by: lovelost | August 15, 2007 at 06:19 PM
yep
Posted by: Greg | August 15, 2007 at 06:25 PM
well i havent heard anything or saw anything on any of the websites.
Posted by: lovelost | August 15, 2007 at 08:03 PM
Yeh Lovelost..IDK if Greg has the right guy...as far as I can find out Mr.Tremnley is still very much a Free Agent
Posted by: Nic | August 15, 2007 at 09:45 PM
thats what i thought.
Posted by: lovelost | August 15, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Why so negative Tony E. Maybe Chaz comes to the Komets and under a coach that knows how to properly handle his skills and assets he would be a great player here. Sims had the likes of Fletcher and loads of other guys that were rough SOBS that he was able to keep under control enough to win the cup with. You need not to be so negative. Gheesh.
Fire away now.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 15, 2007 at 11:05 PM
And I agree totally with SCOOPS! There I said it. I agree with scoops. Wow. That wasn't so hard.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 15, 2007 at 11:07 PM
I would love to see Chaz come to the Komets. He plays full speed 100% all the time. You can't have too many of them.
Johnson is a physical player no one doubts that. Does he get out of control sometimes...probably but from most instances I have seen you can say the opposition had it coming. But if you take a look at his playoff numbers, you will see he tones it down as far as penalty minutes like any smart player does.
2005-2006 Reg. Season = 3.75 PIM per game.
2005-2006 Playoffs = 2.5 PIM per game
2006-2007 Reg. Season = 2.5 PIM per game
2006-2007 Playoffs = .94 PIM per game
Hopefully rumors are true and we get him.
Posted by: komets10 | August 15, 2007 at 11:29 PM
Hit I have said elsewhere that perhaps under the leadership of Colin, Guy and the fact that the Komets want players who do things the "right way", maybe Johnson could clean up his act and let his talent work for him. But until then I will go with the motto of missouri, he needs to show me because I am not going to just forget all of his past antics just because he puts on the hometown shirt.
Posted by: Tony E | August 16, 2007 at 12:04 AM
And I don't think I am being negative at all. I could care less who the Komets have filling out their uniforms as long as the team plays well. That doesn't mean I have to jump up and cheer for a guy who I don't believe plays the game the right way. If he comes to Fort Wayne and cleans up his act, great. Like I said, here a year or two and then gone. The jersey will long outlive the players who wear it so I will not get hot and bothered if Johnson gets signed. I trust Komets management knows what they are getting into with a player like this.
Posted by: Tony E | August 16, 2007 at 12:06 AM
You have to remember who he played for in Rockford. The guy who sent the "dogs" out often in games and Chaz was one of those guys. I think that Sims would know a thing or two about how to handle Chaz. You have to give the guy one thing, he body checks like a beast and plays 100% full speed every shift. I like that part of his game alot.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 12:07 AM
At least we won't have any Arthur lovefest this season. That chapter has finally closed. I never bought into the garbage that his teammates loved and admired his play. He might have worked hard and did his best, but I can do that and suck too. Heck, we all can work hard and do our best and suck! That is my pep-talk for the day! Go get 'em people!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 12:10 AM
Hit I agree with your points on Chaz, I thought I had said something along those lines on Blakes blog. I have to disagree with you on Arthur based on one point. If Kevin St Pierre did not want him playing in front of him I doubt he would have been signed to the same team.
Posted by: Tony E | August 16, 2007 at 12:22 AM
I agree with Tony. I, like many others, got sick and tired of the Arthur bashing last season. But if there is any doubt of his value, see what his teammates think of him and actions speak louder than words. There is no bigger vote of confidence and affirmation of his play and value to his team than to have the #1 goalie help recruit him to his new team. I think that says it all right there.
Posted by: Rick | August 16, 2007 at 07:26 AM
Chaz Johnson in Orange and Black makes me want to vomit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | August 16, 2007 at 08:22 AM
I for one am happy to see Arthur is not coming back. That way I don't have to sit and listen to all the racist remarks coming from a couple of season ticket holders sitting a few rows behind me. Good luck Artie!
Posted by: Guy-de-guy | August 16, 2007 at 01:03 PM
well the kid signed. so we will see.
Posted by: lovelost | August 16, 2007 at 01:17 PM