The Fort Wayne Komets believed they had the best-laid plans. But you know what they say about those, right? They go awry.
Shawn Degagne, who had been slated to battle with Kevin Reiter for position as the No. 1 goaltender, giving the Komets what they thought would be a league-best tandem of netminders, has re-injured the shoulder that kept him out almost all of last season with Elmira of the United Hockey League. Degagne will not be reporting for training camp Oct. 8.
"He won't be ready for the beginning of season," said Komets coach Al Sims, whose team is preparing for its first season in the new six-team International Hockey League. "We're proceeding as if Shawn won't be playing this year. But we definitely need two guys who can play and we'll move to find what we need before the start of training camp."
Degagne couldn't be reached for comment but Sims said the injury happened while Degagne was working out at in his hometown of North Bay, Ontario, and that the minimum recovery time was put at weeks by doctors, but that Degagne was "not optimistic about it."
Degagne, 28, a sixth-round draft pick of the New York Ranges in 1997, has spent most of his career in the Central Hockey League. His last full season, 2005-06, saw him go 24-16-2 with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage for Amarillo. Last season, he was 2-2-0 with a 3.25 GAA and .902 save percentage in four games for Elmira.
The good news is that the Komets still have Reiter, 25, who spent last season with Laredo of the CHL, going 17-6-1 with a 2.33 GAA and a .915 save percentage, and Sims said the Komets can survive fine with him as the sole No. 1. But the team would like to bring in another top-notch netminder for hearty competition and Sims said there are several available.
The Komets do have rookie Shawn Monette on their roster, too, and a good showing in training camp could pay dividends for him. But Monette, who was 32-13-2 with a 2.92 GAA last season for the Dauphin Kings, will likely play in the Southern Professional Hockey League and be a possible goalie of the future for Fort Wayne.
Degagne was put on a non-roster spot and is eligible to come off Nov. 9, at which time the Komets will reevaluate; Sims said it's not impossible to think he'll play in Fort Wayne this season, but it is unlikely.
Meanwhile the Komets were dealt some more bad news when defenseman Jamie Dowhayko informed them he would be playing in Germany instead of Fort Wayne, Sims said. He had two goals and seven points in 29 games last season with the University of Manitoba.
- Also, check this out. Design your own Komets jersey.
For more on this story, check out Saturday's editions of The Journal Gazette
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
That's too bad for Shawn. I hope he heals up. I would like to see a good one two tandem in the Komets net this year.
Posted by: Greg | September 28, 2007 at 11:39 AM
We should have held onto Dan McWhinney...
Posted by: Andy | September 28, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Hindsight is always 20-20.
Posted by: Greg | September 28, 2007 at 12:13 PM
No kidding. Why bring up McWhinney?? He's playing in another league.
Posted by: Junior | September 28, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Hey, I think it's relevent after they kept telling me they weren't worried at all about his shoulder.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | September 28, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Look how long it took Hukalo to recover from his shoulder injury. By his own description, it will never be 100% again.
Posted by: ex-STH | September 28, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Too bad for Degagne. I was looking forward to everyone shouting for him to come into games when Reiter let in soft goals.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | September 28, 2007 at 12:59 PM
If Shawn got clearence form the doctor that's one thing, if not then I concede the point.
Posted by: Greg | September 28, 2007 at 01:01 PM
You have to be poised to be a K's goaltender that's for sure. Hope Reiters ready to take that #1 spot and produce.
Posted by: Junior | September 28, 2007 at 01:17 PM
Produce is the big thing. Unless the Komets can find someone to compete, Reiter has to know he's the number 1 goalie.
Posted by: Greg | September 28, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Tapp was put on waivers by bloomington. Anyone know where he went? Maybe thats a possible solution for now.
Posted by: Charlie I | September 28, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Got this off of Euro Hockey.
Nightmare start for Italian season
Opening day of Italian hockey league was shocked by death of Canadian Darcy Robinson during a game
Asiago's Canadian defender Darcy Robinson
, 26 years, dies after an heart-attack during Asiago - Renon match at Odegar arena in Asiago tonight.
After 3 minutes in the first period Robinson, who recently passed all medical tests without problems, fainted on ice unconscious after shooting the puck and without being hit. Immediately rescued and rushed to a local hospital where he died after few minutes.
All matches of league were immediately suspended. At now most probable cause of death is cardiac arrest.
Story added on 27th September 2007 at 23:58 GMT
Posted by: Charlie I | September 28, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Tapp took his chubby self to the CHL. He's under contract.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | September 28, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Darn he could have been our enforcer....lol
Posted by: Charlie I | September 28, 2007 at 02:47 PM
Oh well the komets should get back in contact with Tyler Masters..haven't heard of him anywhere in the US playing...give him a try..hes a very good backup..i remember he started against rockford and shut them down when either st.pierre or lawson was down!!! otherwise...shouldnt have let mcwhinney go so soon!
Posted by: kometfan | September 28, 2007 at 02:51 PM
"JungleMonkey's Top 10 Last Minute Backup Goalie Recommendations"
1. Mike D' Alessandro
2. Kory "Bobblehead" Cooper
3. Scott Hay
4. Zach Sikich
5. JF Rivard... (Call the Rockford Retirement community)
6. Parris Duffus (If Bert can fight fires and play, so can Parris)
7. Joe Franke
8. Brian Gratz when the league he coaches in goes under.
9. Jason Tapp's diet coordinator (busy guy)
10. Pick an fan of the game to open and close the door.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | September 28, 2007 at 03:20 PM
Just for arguements sake... Why don't we attempt to call Mike Massie? He played 46 games last season in the LNAH. He's the type of player I'd like to see in the IHL... Also why not sign Josh Vanderbreggen? He plays semi-decent defense and likes to fight.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | September 28, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Somebody get me in contact with the Frankes...id like a chance at becoming a backup goalie..ive been playing goalie since i was 10 in open leagues...i think i could do better than what some have!!! haha..and heck if someone needs be ill throw down with some players too.haha
Posted by: kometfan | September 28, 2007 at 04:02 PM
I wish Dagagne a speedy recovery.
Posted by: Shutterbug | September 28, 2007 at 04:20 PM
POKEY!!!!!!!!!
Where are you? UUU...MMMMMM....cough---cough!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | September 28, 2007 at 04:29 PM
That would truly be old time hockey, I mean senior citizen hockey, I mean wow!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | September 28, 2007 at 04:30 PM
A note:
Posted by: wingmnn | September 28, 2007 at 04:57 PM
P-Bruins Announce Player Moves
Providence Bruins
Sep 28, 2007
Providence, RI - The Providence Bruins, member of the American Hockey League, announced that they have released forwards Jamison Orr and Matt Syroczynski and defensemen B.J. Crum and Bill LeClerc from training camp, while adding center Brad Schell. Training camp continues today at the Rhode Island Sports Center, Rte. 146, North Smithfield, RI and is open to the public. The P-Bruins will have their second pre-season game Tonight at 7:00 p.m., when they take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in Shelton, Connecticut. The P-Bruins training camp roster now stands at 26 players including 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies.
Posted by: wingmnn | September 28, 2007 at 04:57 PM
AHL and ECHL teams are starting to drop players so with Degagne out and Dowhayko gone, that should free up some money to sign more guys.
Posted by: wingmnn | September 28, 2007 at 05:00 PM
Wonder if the Komets are at all interested in Matt? He was decent last year. Obviously he doesn't play that physical. Maybe under Sims he would. He is a big kid who has offensive skills. Not a veteran either. I would say go get him.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | September 28, 2007 at 08:14 PM
Tyler Masters and Hope Solo belong to the same "backstab your teamates" union. It doesn't matter how good you are if your teamates have no respect for you because of your attitude.
Posted by: Tony E | September 28, 2007 at 08:41 PM
Wonder what Dusty Imoo is doing these days......
Posted by: Tony E | September 28, 2007 at 08:45 PM
Wish they could have landed Chad Alban. I always liked watching him play.
Kory Cooper...uh....no.!!! He makes me nervous watching him. He looks like he might jump off the bridge every game. Fidgety...is that how you spell it? Nerve wracking if you ask me. Yikes. Someone poke a pencil in my eye....geesh.
Would be nice to see them pull a rabbit out of the hat with a bigtime goalie. I like Reiter, but I am not convinced he is the ticket this year. Would be awesome to have 2 solid studs in net.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | September 28, 2007 at 08:52 PM
Go Cubs Go!!!!!!!!
Central Division Champs....!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | September 28, 2007 at 11:23 PM
CUUUUUUUUUBBBBBBBBBBBBSSSSSSSSSSS!
Posted by: DROPTHEGLOVES!!!! | September 28, 2007 at 11:38 PM
All is well in Wrigleyville tonight.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | September 28, 2007 at 11:50 PM
LiveCam at Wrigley Field...
http://www.cubworld.com/category/a_cubworld_cam
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | September 28, 2007 at 11:51 PM
GO CUBS!!!!!!
Posted by: Junior | September 28, 2007 at 11:56 PM
and Hawks
Posted by: Junior | September 28, 2007 at 11:56 PM
Ronnie Woo....Ronnie Woo.....Ronnie Woo!!!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | September 29, 2007 at 12:00 AM
GO CUBS GO
Posted by: Mark | September 29, 2007 at 01:07 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bWlPg3kg3Y
What a load of crap, Downie gets 20 games for this nonsense? Keep your head up! This is why people are sick and tired of the NHL.
Posted by: JungleMonkey | September 29, 2007 at 07:29 AM
All this Cubs sh-- makes me sick. BTW Hit- Syro was signed by Elmira so he'll be playing in the ECHL.
Posted by: Greg | September 29, 2007 at 09:54 AM
Actually JM, a lot of people were really upset with the hit.
Posted by: Greg | September 29, 2007 at 09:59 AM
syro will be attempting to make the elmira roster.
Posted by: chuckitt | September 29, 2007 at 11:44 AM
Would love to see Kory Cooper in a Komet uniform.
He is very entertaining.
He is a very nice guy off the ice also. Kids would like him.
Posted by: Melissa Sarrazin | September 29, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Cooper comes too far out of the net. He will make the initial save but any rebounds are going in 100% of the time. Where is Michel Robinson? It'd be nice to get him, or even Tom Lawson back...
Posted by: J-Rid | September 29, 2007 at 01:01 PM
Downie was an ^%&*%^^% as a Windsor Spitfire. The punk suckered his own teamate during practice and knocked out the guys teeth. Do some online searches about this guy and I am sure you will see he has a history of being a dirty player. There is no place in hockey for a dirtbag (not named Dirk Graham).
Posted by: Tony E | September 29, 2007 at 01:03 PM
Michel Robinson is playing up in North in the..LNAH I believe he's playing for Quebec Radio X...along wiht Patrick Nadeau....Fredrick Bouchard,Matt Amado...(played with the Hounds last year) and Crutis Tidball
Posted by: Nic | September 29, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Dirk was what hockey should be Tony. Maybe I'm biased, but I loved watching Graham. Another one of those guys that you root for when they're on your team.
Posted by: Junior | September 29, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Dirk Graham...dirty??? When? Certainly not from 1993 to the end of his career. Before that I don't know.
Posted by: Komet Bigtime Fan | September 29, 2007 at 10:16 PM
Junior those that hated him nicknamed him "dirtbag".
He was Chicago's Wendel Clark. A guy who could throw a hit, score a goal and get into a brawl all in the same period. What he did NOT do that the Steve Downie/Chaz Johnson types do is hit from behind, leave his feet to launch headshots etc. I have no use for players who disrespect the game and in my opinion Steve Downie has shown no respect for the game since the first time I saw him play when he was 17. Head down or not a player should not have to be worried about a player LEAVING HIS FEET to deliver a headshot. That is not hockey.
Posted by: Tony E | September 29, 2007 at 11:39 PM
That is an easy way to end someone's playing career. I think watching a hit like that is as scary as some of those helmet to helmet hits we've all seen in some of the NFL games this season.
A player can play a physical, gritty style game AND still demonstrate good sportsmanship. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but to me having some character and class still means something to me.
Posted by: Bob | September 30, 2007 at 06:52 AM
True, nothing like waking up and watching the K's!!!
Posted by: Junior | September 30, 2007 at 08:01 AM
Is anyone watching the old games on Comcast? What is it called when players run each other in to the boards? Is that legal??
Posted by: Shane | September 30, 2007 at 08:46 AM