Sorry for the delay, but I've been down at Terre Haute for the Colts' training camp. The Komets have signed five players, most notably goaltender Kevin Reiter and forward Brandon Warner, a Fort Wayne native.
Click here to read the press release.
The signing of Reiter concludes two offseasons of general manager David Franke trying to get the former Missouri goaltender to Fort Wayne. The Komets have assured him he will be the No. 1 goalie. Franke said the Komets are close to bringing Shawn Degagne in to be the No. 2.
That means that Dan McWhinney, last season's backup, is likely out of the mix. Franke said they would trade McWhinney's rights if he wishes to remain in the International Hockey League. Franke also said they are not concerned about Degagne's shoulder, which was separated last season and kept him out of the lineup most of the campaign, because they have done research on his health.
Meanwhile, even though Warner is listed on the Komets' roster as a defenseman, and he's willing to give it a try, he said he's under the impression he'll be playing forward, where he spent most of his collegiate career. He was on Michigan State's national championship team. He grew up watching the Komets and said it was a dream to wear the orange and black. He also hoped to bring down some good luck from East Lansing.
Even though I will take some credit for getting the Warner bug in the Komets' ears and have asked him for a percentage of his paycheck -- I kept asking Franke if he had thought about giving him a look last season, when I was trying to figure out how they'd polish off their playoff roster, and I even remember Franke writing the name down in a notepad -- the Komets said it was former captain Colin Chin who called in the suggestion to the team offices. Regardless, Warner was raved about at the junior level, too, and with there having been few hometown kids to have success in the pros, it would be nice to see this one pan out.
As for the other signings, on paper, Matt Reynolds looks sound. He had 17 goals and 45 points in 56 games last season with Rio Grande Valley of the Central Hockey Leagye.
Check out tomorrow's Journal Gazette for more on the signings.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
To bad for McWhinney. I thought he had a really shot. I would love to be the team that picks him up. Best of Luck to McWhinney
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | August 16, 2007 at 07:31 PM
im not suprised on this. we better get some talent and toughness soon.
Posted by: lovelost | August 16, 2007 at 08:30 PM
i am so with you lovelost
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | August 16, 2007 at 08:56 PM
i have heard good things about these people but come on? can we rely on people that cant make it on the AHL? is that the only way to get players? if thats true then Sims doesnt have good resources and Franke and Chaulk are not doing thier job finding good scorers and tough d-men. i know its still early but we only have so many spots left.I bleieve they will do it but its still questionable.
Posted by: lovelost | August 16, 2007 at 09:33 PM
The writing was on the wall for Danny. I'd like to see him hook up with a team that can wait for him to come into his own. I hope that the Reiter/Degagne combo will prove to be just what the K's need. It's still to early to get cranked about goalies for me. I know that we are still in the first phase of construction. I'm not to hip on Chaz Johnson. I know he is a thumper but he has a corner on the cheap shot title too. I'm not so sure we need someone we need to muzzle,but with the rule changes maybe he can stay out of the sin bin. I'm thrilled about Warner. Michigan usually has really good players, plus he's a home town boy "Sweet". It's to early to tell, one thing for sure camp should be interesting. Go K's
Posted by: Goalie Girl | August 16, 2007 at 09:37 PM
Sign some scoring power please...and Chuckitt, do tell us who is in the wings....please!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 09:50 PM
nah cause everyone will just moan and groan that its not enough or hes too old or hes well, youll all find out..........
Posted by: chuckitt | August 16, 2007 at 11:23 PM
Pokey Reddick?
Steve Fletcher?
Terry Pembrooke?
Robbie Irons?
Rob Guinn? Just Say No!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:33 PM
It is someone that is 38? I heard that clue dropped somewhere today. I wonder who it is? Is it a former Komet?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Andy Bezeau?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:35 PM
Blake Sebring?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:36 PM
Mike Tyson? No one would argue his toughness. Maybe his brilliance though.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:37 PM
Komets are talking to Jon Mirasty
Posted by: Tantrum | August 16, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Mirasty?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC4g7IrF038
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:48 PM
He gets his arse handed to him everytime I click on one of his fights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RK7L9jkvbs&mode=related&search=
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:51 PM
He almost gets killed in this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pUkDX8RCM8&mode=related&search=
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:52 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LGgU1FsCvY
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:55 PM
If we needed a punching bag....why not just call Jeff Worlton back?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ekETiE6Vvc&mode=related&search=
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 16, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Jon Mirasty is not going to play here. he is a coach now. thats crap tantrum. Mirasty is one of the top fighters in minor leagues and he is in MMA, no way would he come here. he plays in the LNAH.
Posted by: lovelost | August 17, 2007 at 12:00 AM
One of the top punching bags too it looks like. Wow. I bet he has no brains left...what little he might have had to start with.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 17, 2007 at 12:01 AM
Hit, Mirasty and Bosse are the best fighters in minor leagues rather than Sugden. Bosse and Mirasty both fight in MMA and Bosse is alot better. But Mirasty is right behind him. Go look at his fight card.
Posted by: lovelost | August 17, 2007 at 12:01 AM
http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/2776
check it.
Posted by: lovelost | August 17, 2007 at 12:02 AM
No thanks. I will take your word for it. Can't we sign a few guys that shoot the little black thing into the white thing behind the guy with all the padding and funny helmet on. Please!
Bobby Stewart?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 17, 2007 at 12:03 AM
Ask his agent southpaw..........Tedstone will be signing to.
Posted by: Tantrum | August 17, 2007 at 12:04 AM
Why?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 17, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Do we really need that fat-arse on the team? What a bunch of BS if that happens.
I doubt the Frankes will go there. I just can't see them doing that.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 17, 2007 at 12:08 AM
Lovelost you said " we better get some talent and toughness soon."
I believe the Komets just signed 5 players today. Are you saying those players lack talent? On another blog I asked if you had seen these players play and if not, how can you make statements being critical of their talent?
Posted by: Tony E | August 17, 2007 at 01:03 AM
You also said " If we can get some real legit guys who can score and that have leadership we can win championships"
having never seen these players play, how can you assume they lack leadership qualities or are not legit guys (whatever that means) ?
Posted by: Tony E | August 17, 2007 at 01:07 AM
Looks like Warner had a lot of Opps. for the E, I'm looking forward to seeing him wear a K's uni.!!
I've heard the rumors of Tedstone and Mirasty.
Posted by: Junior | August 17, 2007 at 08:53 AM
Justin, in your article you mentioned that Reiter didn't want to play second fiddle to St. Pierre, (which is something i knew all along) did he actually make that comment to you or are you speculating?
Posted by: Greg | August 17, 2007 at 08:55 AM
TONY E, im just saying we need some more leadership players. We dont have much this year so far and its nerve racking thinking if we are going to get some or not. We can't rely on players dropping from the AHL like the Komets said they are planning are doing. We need people like Richardson, Ruid, Marchant, and Goneau(i cant believe i said that). We need to find these type of players before they are out
Posted by: lovelost | August 17, 2007 at 09:13 AM
need leadership??? who the hell is chaulk and dupuis? what kind of a negative person are you? that last statement shows you are only a complainer and cant see the forrest for the trees. give me marchant and you can keep the rest. ruid a great goal scorer and a great goal giver uper. richardson a good spark who cant win a faceoff(something a top line center must do) goneau, a guy with all the talent in the world but only willing to showcase it every fifth or sixth game. leadership?? our past two captains both on the team at the same time and we need leadership??? splain that one lucy...
Posted by: chuckitt | August 17, 2007 at 09:39 AM
Again, well said Chuck!! You're making some good points.
I think blake had a good comment about the current signings, it basically seems like they are holding out for the end of AHL camp to sign some players. They have money to spend, do you people think that they're not going to spend it? Talent will come, IT'S STILL EARLY!!!
Posted by: Junior | August 17, 2007 at 09:53 AM
Are any of the guys the K's signed getting an AHL spot?
Posted by: komets10 | August 17, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Lovelost you said " TONY E, im just saying we need some more leadership players."
How do you know any of the players signed will not exhibit leadership qualities??
Posted by: Tony E | August 17, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Hit I think one thing you have to consider about Mirasty is he fights anyone and any size. He is only 5'10''.
He wins his share too and plus the LNAH has the toughest fighters in hockey, there are no easy fights.
If the Komets were to sign him as one of our enforcers he would be extremely entertaining. Plus he would have guys like Henley and maybe Manson and Sgroi to help out.
Posted by: K.M. | August 17, 2007 at 10:48 AM
I was wondering the same thing komets10. My guess is probably not since there was no mention of it. Maybe Justin can ask and find out, plus how many AHL spots do the Komets have to offer potential rookies?
Hopefully we can snag a couple really solid rookies. I think last year Bingham did a great job in finding rookies that were a big part of the Komets. Frankes say they could have 6 or 7 rookies in the lineup so you need guy who can play and not be passengers.
Posted by: K.M. | August 17, 2007 at 10:51 AM
Right now, Mirasty, Manson, & Sgori are Speculation. Sgori can play with another team in the IHL until January because the Koemts own his rights but neither Justin nor Blake have said whether there's been any communication. The other two are just names people pulled out of theie keesters.
Posted by: Greg | August 17, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Sorry, that should have said Sgori CAN"T play with another IHL team until Januray.
Posted by: Greg | August 17, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Ok, I should probably be quiet and stay out of this, but geez... People whine because we haven't signed anyone, then complain because they don't like who we signed. I have the feeling we could sign Wayne Gretzky and someone would find a reason to gripe. (Besides the fact that he's too old... :))
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | August 17, 2007 at 11:15 AM
All from Komet sources -- I've failed to get a hold of Reiter since 2005 -- Reiter told the Komets he didn't want to sign here last year because he knew he would only get a handful of games behind St. Pierre. That from David Franke. I don't there's anything false in that. Why would he have come here to be a backup?
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 17, 2007 at 11:34 AM
That's what I figured. I'm actually impressed with the honesty.
Posted by: Greg | August 17, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Tedstone?
Mirasty?
How can Scott Sproat let that happen? Those guys will try to fight.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | August 17, 2007 at 11:40 AM
K.M., I think we have a couple solid rookies right now. Some seem to be upset with the signings so far, but really how can you take it seriously. I'm happy with the 5 we got yesterday and I think they will be great roll players. Hughes will be a player if you put him the right spot, believe me. He doesn't have great size but as we know that sometimes doesn't matter. Of course this is total speculation on how he will play, but I'm usually very close in predicting their output. I was dead on Syro, Gascon, Goodwin, Milam and any other good rookie we have had. I'm going to guess we can get the same output from Hughes that we got from Gascon.
Posted by: komets10 | August 17, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Dale Purinton
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | August 17, 2007 at 11:54 AM
who is this manson guy?? and if we need a fighter go for Chad Wilcox and Ashlee Langdon..well wait i dont know bout Langdon he still might be under that suspension in this league
Posted by: kometfan | August 17, 2007 at 01:45 PM
Maybe the Komets could coax DAVE Manson out of retirement.
Posted by: Tony E | August 17, 2007 at 02:09 PM
If they get "Charlie", pair him up with someone he doesn't have to communicate with. No one will hear him.
Posted by: Greg | August 17, 2007 at 02:21 PM
we need more leadership than Chaulk and Dupius. I never once said they cant give us leadership. But two players cant win the championship. I never complain about the Komets but when we are promised top notch scorers and tough guys its not happening. Sounds like your complaing about every player we had last year that got the Komets to win the Tarry Cup. If it wasnt for Richardson and Ruid we would have never got that.
Posted by: lovelost | August 17, 2007 at 02:53 PM
you obvioulsy dont back up what you say and obviously never played the game or understand it. you only can have a couple of leaders on any team or youd have too many chiefs and not enough indians. forgive me for actually using chief in a sentence!
Posted by: chuckitt | August 17, 2007 at 03:07 PM