Fort Wayne Komets right wing Jason Sessa has retired to become a member of the New York Police Department.
"Of course, it was a difficult decision," Sessa said. "I didn't want to leave the guys, but this was the opportunity of a lifetime."
Sessa, 29, who had two goals and five points in 11 games, had been wanting to get into the NYPD for years. The Komets were aware, before they signed him last summer, of that desire. Through the help of friends and colleagues, Sessa was able to land a spot in a six-month training program that begins in January.
He lives in Bethpage, N.Y.
"We hate to see him leave," general manager David Franke said. "But we understand it's a career move and he has to strike."
The departure of Sessa will save the Komets a difficult decision -- they had players of veteran status, one more than they're allowed to play. However, if defenseman Brent Henley's knee injury, suffered Friday, turns out to be serious, they will be down to six veterans.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
So wait Justin he is joining Fort Wayne's Fire department(F.W.PD) or New York Fire department (N.Y. PD)?
Posted by: Andy | December 19, 2007 at 04:59 PM
So wait Justin he is joining Fort Wayne's police department(F.W.PD) or New York police department (N.Y. PD)?
Posted by: Andy | December 19, 2007 at 05:01 PM
well at least hes not leaving to be a nurse...(quinn)
but i wish the best of luck to sessa
he was good while he was here :)
Posted by: morency fan | December 19, 2007 at 05:13 PM
NYPD.
Don't knock Guinn for taking nursing courses. I think that was honorable.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | December 19, 2007 at 05:22 PM
sorry didnt think about it when i wrote it
Posted by: morency fan | December 19, 2007 at 05:57 PM
Sessa, Good Luck with the NYPD.
Posted by: Shutterbug | December 19, 2007 at 06:20 PM
I think it's funny that so many people are saying, how the Komets cut him for this reason, or that reason, and it turns out he left on his own and the K's weren't the initiators.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | December 19, 2007 at 07:54 PM
Well, Justin, there was a previous post on the before blog that he was put on waivers before you even told us why.
Posted by: LC | December 19, 2007 at 07:59 PM
I agree Justin, although i knew about this last night and didn't say anything. Good luck Jason in the NYPD.
Posted by: Mark | December 19, 2007 at 08:24 PM
Shaw randy Marcum on the commentary team for the public broadcasting team is really complaining about you talking to the Fury bench. He could have told them to kick you out.
Posted by: Andy | December 19, 2007 at 08:44 PM
now that i watched the game on 57, its safe to say jerad shaw and the zamboni guy get assists and if shaw doesnt get kicked out of that game we win.
and that puck was in on the disputed call. i was in 211 and thought it was in that night and i still do it banged right inside the pipe.
Posted by: JW | December 19, 2007 at 09:11 PM
great game once shaw made his way to the muskegon bench area and brough us back.
and the play muskegon won on in overtime was amazing. 2 very nice passes.
Posted by: JW | December 19, 2007 at 09:20 PM
It is sad to hear about Sessa leaving the komets. He has been one of my favorite players in the past few years. I wish Jason the best of luck in the NYPD.
Posted by: Adam Craig | December 19, 2007 at 09:35 PM
I know, that's what I'm saying, it's funny that people assumed it was because he "stunk" when that wasn't it.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | December 19, 2007 at 10:46 PM
Good luck in the NYPD Jason.
If there was this possibility of leaving looming, why did they cut loose of Bobby Kukulka so soon? Or did they find out this was a done deal AFTER he was waived?
Posted by: scoops | December 19, 2007 at 11:23 PM
Great question...
Enquiring minds wanna know.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | December 19, 2007 at 11:39 PM
It doesn't matter really about the Kukulka situation. With Saidachev getting healthy soon they would have had to let someone go or put someone on the IR. I think it will be interesting if they bring in another vet if Henley ends up being out for awhile.
Posted by: jc | December 20, 2007 at 12:03 AM
Keep up the good work Justin. It appears that the News Sentinel has VERY little Komets news.
Why is that ? Blake too busy ?!?
Posted by: K's fan forever | December 20, 2007 at 08:35 AM
To busy cashing in on the Tailing the Komets book????
Anyways...
We need to look on the bright side of this...Sessa gets to get his dream job and he won't be picked up by another team and come back to haunt us
BEST OF LUCK TO SESSA
GO KOMETS!!!
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | December 20, 2007 at 08:45 AM
To busy cashing in on the Tailing the Komets book????
Anyways...
We need to look on the bright side of this...Sessa gets to get his dream job and he won't be picked up by another team and come back to haunt us
BEST OF LUCK TO SESSA
GO KOMETS!!!
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | December 20, 2007 at 08:45 AM
I know others disagree, but I think it's wise to keep Shafronov. He may be up there in age, but he's really starting to show signs of life to me. He's great on the forecheck and his hustle has improved greatly since the start of the year. Keep Shafy Frankes!
Posted by: Henley67250 | December 20, 2007 at 11:27 AM
I can't speak to the other newspaper's coverage, however, I think we all know where you should get your Komets news from. lol.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | December 20, 2007 at 11:29 AM
NYPD... thats awesome!! good luck sessa. and i too think shaf is comin on more and more. I wasn't so sure how i felt about him the first couple weeks, but i am noticing more hustle also.maybe he just needed to get back in the swing of things.
Posted by: booner | December 20, 2007 at 11:46 AM
It is funny how people were saying that. Wise move for Sessa, good luck with your new career. Shaf has been playing good hockey! Any word on Saidachev? Another big weekend ahead, hopefull we land all 6 points! GO KOMETS!
Posted by: brando | December 20, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Kukulka didnt show to Bloomington so they waived him... Any word on whats going on with him????
Posted by: JR | December 20, 2007 at 01:39 PM
Milam was named ECHL Allstar starter...
Posted by: Andrew | December 20, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Sims finally did the right thing with Pence and put him at forward Sunday, his original position. That is where he belongs, not at defense so he can fall down and give the puck away.
Posted by: Henley67250 | December 20, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Where is Erick Tremblay at now? It would be great to bring him back. Last I thought he was with Elmira, but he's not listed there. Anybody help me out?
Posted by: Henley67250 | December 20, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Looks like Tremblay's with Wichita of the CHL (same team as Richardson): http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid=70648
Posted by: Laurie | December 20, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Bring Kukulka back we have room now
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | December 20, 2007 at 02:33 PM
Jimmy........Jimmy.......Jimmy
D U H A R T
Posted by: Burgee | December 20, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Oh sure, I bet Kuks would just come back now. Last week we don't want you, but this week we need you? I doubt it! I felt all along that you would see 2 maybe 3 guys waived. We have 2 as it sits. Everything will settle down and be fine. If Henley isn't able to go...they should pursue a top tier veteran that can score from the blue-line. I know that isn't an easy task, but if there is one out there, go get him! We have Sessa's money and Kukulka's money sitting there, why not spend it?!?!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | December 20, 2007 at 03:44 PM
Let's get Kelly Perrault back!
Posted by: Teresa | December 20, 2007 at 03:48 PM
I think the Komets are fine with what we have now Henley hurt or not. I think with Warner and Pence being played on both forward lines and defensive lines is what Sims wants. I think it would confuse them because I have noticed from both of them that they try to play forward to much when they are on D and that causes break aways and that gives them a chance to score.
Posted by: lovelost | December 20, 2007 at 03:49 PM
For everyone thinking Tremblay was the next coming of Steve Fletcher, his PIM's sure don't show it.
Posted by: JungleMonkey | December 20, 2007 at 03:51 PM
You are right, they are probably fine. But maybe one big piece could be added with the money that 2 of our higher paid players were getting and that could make the difference between fine and in the driver's seat for a championship. They should always look to improve the team.
With that being said. They made a big mistake in my opinion in letting Kuks go. He is an energy guy that can score. I would bet that the Sessa NYPD thing has been brewing for more than 3 weeks and that there was a plan in place...considering Henley coming back when he did and then Sessa's announcement. They had no intention of keeping 8 Veterans. Sims said it a month ago when Henley was signed.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | December 20, 2007 at 03:54 PM
By the way, Justin is the only coverage for the Komets these days. The other guy known as Super Fan Blakes...wow...where did he go? Justin is blowing him out of the water.
I know I speak for the fans on this one...we appreciate your efforts Justin. I can always come to this site and to your newspaper columns expect the latest news on the Komets. Awesome job Justin!!!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | December 20, 2007 at 04:07 PM
I would welcome Kukulka back. He is a hustler and a scorer and will stand up for himself if he has to. Only problem is, as stated already, he may not want to since we didn't want him last week...
Posted by: Henley67250 | December 20, 2007 at 04:09 PM
Hello? It's not that simple. He was put on waivers and claimed by another team. If he wants to play in this league (and it doesn't look like he does) it won't be for us unless we trade for him.
Posted by: RaVeN | December 20, 2007 at 06:40 PM
I think everyone understood that Raven. I think is more of a hypothetical type deal..."We should get him back...." Everyone knows the waiver process I am sure.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | December 20, 2007 at 09:29 PM
Um..If Bloom waived Kuks, he is free game to any team. We don't need to trade for him unless he gets claimed again.
Posted by: Mark | December 20, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Did they actually waive him or did he just not show up? It does look like he was waived by the PT.
I doubt it that he would come back here.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | December 20, 2007 at 10:49 PM
Granted, we don't know alot of what is actually going on but on the surface the Kukulka thing just seemed rushed to me. Obviously nobody knew Henley would get banged up his first game and who knows when the Sessa departure was evident. As a fan I liked having the depth and right now we have none with everyone playing and two guys actually injured.
And what would happen if Aquino got a stint higher up? With what was a formidable set of forwards at the beginning of the season would be take a major hit. The season is full of twists and turns so we'll see what we do from here.
Posted by: scoops | December 20, 2007 at 11:42 PM
Identify a Veteran who still can fill up the net, and sign him. We have the cash there to do it. Sessa and Kukulka were most likely 2 of the higher end salaries.
Lets not even think about Aquino moving up the ladder...that would be awful for us fans. He is one of the most exciting players we have seen in years in the Fort. For that matter, so is Curadeau. Someone must be watching from higher levels on these 2 guys.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | December 20, 2007 at 11:46 PM
Sorry Hit, but we have to look at the obvious. Aquino is moving up sooner rather then later. We can't sit here and think that he will be playing for the Komets when the playoffs come around. It will be intersting in the weeks to come how we adjust the roster if Henley's knee is seriously injuried. I really hope that isn't the case, but at the time being, I don't think the Franke's can look at any other option. All I care about is tomorrow night. I hope we have another battle with the Wings. So far, out of the teams we have played, I have had the most fun with watching the Wing's vs. Komets. I will be in 217 tomorrow night with the girlfriend. Come down and say hi. I will be in my Captain Komets Jersey with some Jeans on. Would like to meet some of you bloggers!!!! I probably won't be in Muskegon for for a couple weeks, but would still enjoy putting faces to names!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | December 21, 2007 at 12:44 AM
If Aquino does get called up soon maybe we can get Kalamzoo's Nick Bootland's brother Darryl from Bridgeport. He is classified as a Veteran. So there would be the fill in for Sessa.
Posted by: Adam Craig | December 21, 2007 at 07:58 AM
Jerad- it sounds like you're gonna be right down by me. I've got a retro K's jersey and a Santa hat, shouldn't be too hard to spot!
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | December 21, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Who's ready for Fight Night Round 2 tonight?!
Posted by: Henley67250 | December 21, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Since we are all giving out what we are wearing, I feel so dirty saying that, I bet I will be the only guy waering shorts and an Emmitt Smith jersey with a 60's bucket hat. (It was crazy hat day at school today...) Come up to section 204 and say hi, top row.
I'm looking foward to a great game tonight. Let's hope waterboy is in net or at least they need to find a bunge cord for Kevin!!!
Posted by: Hoss | December 21, 2007 at 11:34 AM
I'll be wearing fur and carrying some banana's.
Posted by: JungleMonkey | December 21, 2007 at 12:58 PM