I don't know yet if Al Sims can teach forechecking or break down a neutral-zone trap, but I can tell you he has a better sense of humor than his two predecessors, Pat Bingham and Greg Puhalski.
The Komets opened training camp today and Sims had the room in stitches as he described some of his new players; a welcome change from the usual non-descriptive introductions.
On Kevin Bertram, who came out of retirement to rejoin the Komets, Sims said: "He played in the firemans' league last year and has made the big jump to AA hockey from there."
OK, it was funnier in person.
On Guy Dupuis, Sims told the room how he was a poor-skating "plodder" as a second-year player with the Komets and Sims thought "he'll be lucky to play 10 games at this level." Dupuis is in his 18th pro season now, and he's the Komets' captain.
Sims also slipped up and called the IHL the UHL, then quipped, "I'll have to put a dollar in the jar for that."
But there was actual news: The Komets have brought in defenseman Maksim Sirokov and defenseman Jason Jaworski, bringing their ranks to the 27 players they expected.
Sirokov's story is particularly interesting. He has wanted to come over from Latvia for a couple of years but could never get a visa, some believe because his coach there has such pull with the government. He quietly got his visa approved, though Sirokov was mum on some of the details, and he came over last week. He did so with the help of the Komets, defenseman Sergei Durdin and some other players in the minors, like Jan Jas.
Sirokov could be a whopper of a player. He had 10 goals and 37 points in 47 games last season. How good? Good enough that I've heard whispers he might not be at this level long.
I will have a story on Sirokov in Tuesday's paper. I had to get Durdin to serve as interpreter.
As for Jaworski, he's skated for Muskegon, Adirondack, Elmira, Quad City and Port Huron. He sat out last season after the birth of a child.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
"As for Jaworski, he's skated for Muskegon, Adirondack, Elmira, Quad City and Port Huron. He sat out last season after the birth of a child."
I remember Jaworski, could be okay. What a man to stay home with the baby!!!!
Posted by: Greg | October 08, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Who else was in camp Justin?
Posted by: lovelost | October 08, 2007 at 05:28 PM
Do they still allow anyone to come to training camp or just press? I might go wednsday. Its been awhile since I have gone.
Posted by: lovelost | October 08, 2007 at 06:25 PM
As for Jaworski he seems to be a so-so defender. His talent comes and goes. He has some players of the week for the UHL the last year he played. I think we have to many players this year that havent played in a few years and payer wo havent skated over 40+ games. Hopefully they can stay fit.
Posted by: lovelost | October 08, 2007 at 06:44 PM
Here's who was there. To my knowledge, no no-shows.
As for practice, they are closed to the public, unfortunately. Liability if a puck comes out and bonks someone in the head; still, I wish they'd find a way to open it up. It used to be good to have fans see what was going on.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | October 08, 2007 at 06:58 PM
Oops, here's the roster:
http://komets.com/roster.htm
Posted by: Justin Cohn | October 08, 2007 at 06:58 PM
thanks I figured. but I know they used too. I didn't know if they had some other guys call in and show up. As Sims said anything about grabbing guys that dropped from the NHL/AHL/ECHL camps?
Posted by: lovelost | October 08, 2007 at 07:41 PM
I got a chance to meet Durdin and Sirokov last week in the store..Durdin is a stand up guy. Maksim on the other hand..I don't know how to speak russian..but seems like a good kid..
Posted by: Mark | October 08, 2007 at 07:51 PM
Not as of yet.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | October 08, 2007 at 07:51 PM
Hey, has anybody seen the Komets' commercial with Icy? Give me the details of how it was and who was in it. I have DirecTV :)
Posted by: Justin Cohn | October 08, 2007 at 08:38 PM