The Fort Wayne Komets' signing of goaltender Shawn Degagne sets up what should be one of the most fascinating position battles in years. He and Kevin Reiter will compete for playing time, said coach Al Sims, who likes to go with the hot hand. With so many three games in three nights weekends, though, they'll both come in handy. It's been a while since the goaltending situation wasn't mostly predetermined around here: Kevin St. Pierre was the unquestioned No. 1 for four seasons, Tom Lawson for one before that, Doug Teskey for three before that.
To find the kind of goalie competition we will see here, you probably have to go back to 1998-99, the Komets' last season in the first incarnation of the International Hockey League, when Bruce Racine and Pokey Reddick were going at it. But even that's sort of a stretch because Racine was so good; you really have to go back to 1995-96, when Bob Essensa and Peter Ing were competing. Go a little further and Al Sims is coaching the Komets to a Turner Cup and Dakota Fannings hadn't even been born yet. Whew.
I believe Reiter will ultimately see the bulk of the playing time. If Degagne' s shoulder acts up -- he's recovering from a separation -- then all this will be moot. But the Komets have researched his health and believe he will be OK.
Meanwhile, the re-signing of center Terry Marchant is interesting because he came to the Komets via a trade that Sims made as general manager of the Flint Generals last season. I wonder if Marchant ends up playing center or wing alongside Colin Chaulk.
The third player signed today, Michael George, may sound familiar because he was in on a tryout with the Komets last season. The Komets loved the kid but he didn't have the appropriate work visa and ended up playing senior hockey in Canada. He will go to training camp with Syracuse of the American Hockey League before joining the Komets, Sims said.
Sims said he feels a lot better about his team today -- it has 15 players -- then he did before the signing of the last week. On paper, the Komets do look good, but where's the toughness they'll need in the new IHL?
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Frankes are the ones who wanted the IHL to start up and and the tough hockey so i gotta believe they are gonna have some tough guys coming...........but i can't wait i wanna know know
Great signing today can't wait to see micheal george.....haha he has 2 first names
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | August 22, 2007 at 10:02 PM
JC...any word on Manson, Henley, or Chaz Johnson? There is 3 tough guys..
Posted by: Andrew | August 22, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Good right up! The George kid still has an opp. to be playing for Syracuse, wouldn't he?
Posted by: Junior | August 22, 2007 at 10:04 PM
In my opinion you have to get Henley signed. Not only is he the beast of the IHL...he can flat out play the game too!
I still would like to see the Komets get a proven sniper (40-50) goal guy and a power forward that has skill and size. Oh and you can never have enough speed!
Posted by: K.M. | August 22, 2007 at 10:15 PM
I guess I don't yet share the fascination with Henley you all do. Really nice guy and I would look forward to seeing more, but ....
I haven't heard much yet on the signings of Johnson or Henley? Manson? Uh, you mean Hansen?
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 22, 2007 at 10:19 PM
Lane Manson who played for Dayton last year.
Apparently a few people heard Chase saying the Komets were looking at a 6'9'' defensemen to go along with Henley and since there aren't too many guys that tall....well
Sorry Justin....Henley owns souls ;)
Posted by: K.M. | August 22, 2007 at 10:21 PM
He owns souls? Whew, I'll have to look out. He's good, but I don't have the fascination that certain other writers have ... at least not yet. It takes more than 36 games I guess. But he does have potential.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 22, 2007 at 10:35 PM
Henley seems like he just pushes people around. He's a pretty big dude who holds a presence on the ice.
I meant to say "write" up earlier.
Posted by: Junior | August 22, 2007 at 10:36 PM
henley has the same fascination to me as a steve fletcher. i mean by that, when they take the ice, the heads on the other team all look up and take notice. a person like that is a rare find. sign him!
Posted by: chuckitt | August 22, 2007 at 10:45 PM
I think marchant may score 30+ goals if he is placed with chaulk. I wouldn't use him as a center as he couldn't win a faceoff. As far as Henley...when he comes back in December I think they should try him at wing and see what happens.
Posted by: Charlie I | August 22, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Justin we never understood your fascination with certain defensemen so I guess we are even now.
Posted by: Charlie I | August 22, 2007 at 10:55 PM
Update on our friend Troy Neumeier
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=56196&sc=5
Posted by: Junior | August 22, 2007 at 10:56 PM
For those of you who wanted to join my fantasy league (Iceman) I have created another one as apperantly the other one filled up any nobody from here joined lol. The new league is only for people on the blogs or your family members just like my trivia thing. The league will have 16 teams at most. The draft is going to be Aug 28 at 5:15pm. The password for the league is komets.
http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/kometsblog
Click the link and sign up(that includes you Justin).
Posted by: Charlie I | August 22, 2007 at 11:08 PM
Iceman if it doesn't let you sign-up let me know. I think it stopped you before because it was full.
Posted by: Charlie I | August 22, 2007 at 11:09 PM
My fascination with Kevin Schmidt?
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 22, 2007 at 11:12 PM
close lol
Posted by: Charlie I | August 22, 2007 at 11:14 PM
What's the ID# for the league? Can't get to it. And I probably can't do a live draft; can you fill out depth charts and automate it?
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 22, 2007 at 11:19 PM
I just want to remind you all that when we talk tough players it's a figure of speech. In todays hockey there are Steve Fletcher's but the game has changed to much as you all can see game in game out. I will say that in about 2 more years the "I" will be a rougher league but still what you see now is basically what you will get. It's all about the sale of tickets. Speaking of tickets do you ever wonder how many comp tickets are out there on a given night? I want to put my thought in on Marchant...I think he could be a good center but after the trade last year he was lost. Try him out see what happens and then put him on the wing. Hope the lounge did'nt raise beer prices again this year! LOL.
Posted by: ds214 | August 22, 2007 at 11:21 PM
on Henley, someone should know the rules, but if the komets made an offer, isn't his rights protected for a while? so it doesn't make sense to put him under contract until he can play, that way it frees up roster space? Of course when he signs then they will have to make room.
Know the rules, play by the rules and use them your advantage!
Posted by: Burgee | August 22, 2007 at 11:49 PM
http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/kometsblog
League ID# 561098
Password Komets
Posted by: Charlie I | August 23, 2007 at 12:03 AM
If you can't be at the draft you can rank the players to be drafted in the order you would take them if they are available.
Posted by: Charlie I | August 23, 2007 at 12:04 AM
Cool article on Troy. As I mentioned on the other thread, you take the triangle of the Battlefords, Prince Albert and Saskatoon and you have some of the most competitive youth and junior hockey in Canada.
Posted by: Tony E | August 23, 2007 at 12:53 AM
Are you sure Charlie? I saw you can rank players, but it doesn't ask you what rounds you would like certain positions to be taken in?
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 23, 2007 at 03:04 AM
On yahoo, once you rank your players, it will take your highest rated player at that point.
I love the signing of Marchant. I think with Chaulk, he will be a top goal scorer. He did come over in a late trade last year, but he was always around the net. A guy like that, when he learns the system is going to be very dangerous. I love Henley, and the prescence he has on the ice, but we need someone else to fill his shoes. He might be able to play in December, but it is going to take him awhile to get his game legs under him. Chaz Johnson would be a HUGE lift for the K's if they could sign him in that department.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | August 23, 2007 at 07:33 AM
I don't think Chaz is coming to the Fort.
Posted by: Junior | August 23, 2007 at 08:24 AM
I think Marchant will be a good signing. Don't forget he came in late last season, and had to learn a new system. Put him on a line with Chaulk, and he will put up results.
Posted by: gobluerulz | August 23, 2007 at 08:28 AM
Amen Justin where is the toughness? Again promises promises...For an ownership who wanted the rules change to allow more physical play we really have not gone out a signed anyone of significate value in the toughness department compared to other teams in the league.
Posted by: David | August 23, 2007 at 09:56 AM
I think Chaz Johnson, Mike Sgori, Lane Manson, and Henley will all be signed.... Matter of fact, I think a couple are already signed and will be announced soon.... The Frankes are smart business people, they spread out the announcement of their signings over a period of time so there is constant talk about players coming in and it stays fresh in your mind. There is no reason to sign all of your players in July and August and not be able to get quality players that come available clsoer to the start of the season....
Posted by: Komet Fan | August 23, 2007 at 10:49 AM
I want to address the fan who talked about comp. tickets. The Komets do a give a lot away and you'll find that out if you ever try to buy a lower seat in certain sections. They are rarely filled, but you can't buy those seats.
I was hoping for a decrease in ticket prices this season. I still don't like paying AHL prices for something much less.
And with gas prices...wow. It's going to be tough for us who a drive to make it to games on a regular basis. Of course I could sit WAY up top, but those seats are dreadful.
Posted by: Komets/Fusion Fan | August 23, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Tell them you're a college student and sit in the 8 dollar seats.
Posted by: Junior | August 23, 2007 at 12:34 PM
I think they have to show a college ID.
Posted by: Greg | August 23, 2007 at 01:20 PM
They do, I was joking.
Hey, how many spots in Syracuse do we have?
Posted by: Junior | August 23, 2007 at 02:23 PM
i thought i read somewhere that we have 2 spots there and 2 spot on another team in the AHL
Posted by: IcyKometFan84 | August 23, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Just one and another one in either Hershey or Bridgeport
Posted by: Greg | August 23, 2007 at 02:27 PM
I thought we had 2 in Syracuse also??
Thanks Greg.
Posted by: Junior | August 23, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Lane Manson signed with Wilkes-Barre in the AHL and that means most likely he will play in Wheeling of the ECHL if he doesn't make it. Saw it over on ITB.
Posted by: K.M. | August 23, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Actually the 2 open AHL camp spots are in Syracuse and Worcester it was in the other paper.
Posted by: K.M. | August 23, 2007 at 04:13 PM
I would look for the Johnson announcement next week.
Posted by: Rich | August 23, 2007 at 04:16 PM
Thanks K.M. I knew there was another AHL team but I couldn't remember which one.
Posted by: Greg | August 23, 2007 at 04:32 PM
You actually dont have to show a college id..... i say im a student and they dont ask...
Posted by: kometfan | August 23, 2007 at 04:55 PM
if you noticed they took all the rookies they signed and they are playing as forwards. So we only have 3 d-men right now, so that leaves at least 4 more d-men.
Posted by: lovelost | August 23, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong...but all that was said is that the Komets had spots in two camps so far and he was working on getting more. It didn't say if they had multiple spots or not. For example from Aug. 9:
"Sims and Franke said the Komets currently have spots in two AHL camps, with Worcester and Syracuse. Sims said he's continuing to look for more options."
Posted by: komets10 | August 23, 2007 at 05:56 PM
NOT to spread any rumors, but Mirasty has an AHL tryout in Syracuse and George only takes up 1 spot. But I'm not saying he's going to play here, I have no idea. I'm not sure if we even have two spots in Syr. besides what K.M. said.
http://blog.syracuse.com/crunch/
Posted by: Junior | August 23, 2007 at 07:47 PM
I really shouldn't of posted it since it says that he was invited by a guy named Columbus, so take it for what it's worth...which is probably nothing.
Posted by: Junior | August 23, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Mirasty signed there. Manson signed in the AHL as well with the Nailers I believe.
Posted by: lovelost | August 23, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Mirasty didn't "sign". He has a try-out. Going from the LAHL to the AHL would be pretty impressive. Especially for someone that has trouble skating.
Posted by: Junior | August 24, 2007 at 08:13 AM
Or whatever goon league that is.
Posted by: Junior | August 24, 2007 at 08:14 AM
Columbus = Columbus Blue Jackets
the NHL team Syracuse is affiliated with.
Lindsay Kramer, who wrote the blog, is the reporter for Syracuse's newspaper "The Post-Standard".
Junior, thank you for posting the link.
Posted by: Shutterbug | August 24, 2007 at 06:22 PM
He has signed.
Posted by: lovelost | August 24, 2007 at 06:49 PM
"Columbus has INVITED brawler Jon Mirasty to Syracuse's camp, which opens in late September. Mirasty, 25, comes on the recommendation of former Syracuse enforcer Brandon Sugden."
Posted by: Junior | August 24, 2007 at 07:23 PM