Mercifully, we don't have an All-Star Game in our little six-team International Hockey League this season. Nonetheless, I've received e-mails from readers wanting to know who would have played in such a game.
So, let's come up with a team of 19 players.
Starters: Forwards Kory Karlander of Kalamazoo, Tab Lardner of Port Huron, and Luciano Aquino of Fort Wayne, defensemen Guy Dupuis of Fort Wayne and Nick Tuzzolino of Flint, goaltender Kevin Reiter of Fort Wayne.
Reserves: Forwards Michel Beausoliel of Flint, Nick Bootland of Kalamazoo, Colin Chaulk of Fort Wayne, Jason Cirone of Flint, Mike Watt of Muskegon, Don Parsons of Bloomington, Jamie Carroll of Port Huron, and Mathieu Curadeau of Fort Wayne. Defensemen Philippe Plante of Muskegon, Joe Markusen of Port Huron, Shaun Fisher of Flint, and Kyle Kos of Muskegon. Goaltender Loic Lacasse of Bloomington.
Breakdown by team: Fort Wayne 5, Flint 4, Port Huron 3, Muskegon 3, Kalamazoo 2, Bloomington 2.
It was a little difficult, especially since so many would-be all-stars have left the league. Also picking goalies was tough because the numbers don't hold up for a lot of them. Even with Reiter -- you could make an argument he isn't the best goalie on his own team, but he does have five shutouts.
What do you think?
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
I agree with almost all of your selections with the exception of Kos.. He stinks. I'd give that sissy Van Drunen the nod before Kos if we're trying to find 3 slugs on Muskegon to stick in the "All-Star" roster.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | January 24, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I think Robin Bouchard should be in. I also think that Chad Alban. Even though he is on the IR. When he is healthy I think he is the best goalie in the league. Don't get me wrong Kevin good. I just don't think he is the best. I think that this league lacks a dominate core of goalies. There are alot that are hot and cold. But never always hot.
Posted by: Skoal Apple | January 24, 2008 at 12:50 PM
How about Russ Moyer in place of Kos. Scratch my Van Drunen comment. Moyer has 17pts and is +3. Kos has 3pts and is +5.
Posted by: JungleMonkey | January 24, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I intentionally left Bouchard off of there. Not a big fan. ... Goalies were tough; on talent, Alban would probably be there, but you've got to factor games played to an extent, I think. Marvin's been pretty good, too.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 24, 2008 at 01:10 PM
I think if the IHL remains the same size or grows to eight team, the IHL should create and all star team to play the CHL's or ECHL's all star team.
What do you think?
Posted by: [email protected] | January 24, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Great idea, but I wouldn't count on it happening. It's never come together in the past and those in charge of the circuits have issues with one another.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 24, 2008 at 01:51 PM
The Defense is really weak, i just noticed that...I guess Tuzz has to be a starter b/c Laylin and Iberian left the league.
I agree with most of it but no Zehr on the reserves? Tuzzolino is just lucky he's on a good team who can put the puck in the net b/c all of his high stats are b/c of his teammates
Posted by: Andrew | January 24, 2008 at 01:53 PM
That would be fun and interesting to see the allstars of different leagues go at it. But yea J.C. is right. I dont see it happening either all though anything is possible....ha
Posted by: booner | January 24, 2008 at 03:13 PM
That would be fun and interesting to see the allstars of different leagues go at it. But yea J.C. is right. I dont see it happening either all though anything is possible....ha
Posted by: booner | January 24, 2008 at 03:15 PM
I agree with your choices Justin, but I would have to move Chaulk to the starters. No offense to Karlander, but Chaulker is by far the best center in this league, plus he doesn't have to yap at the officials every minute of the game!
As for Tuzzolino, he should have stayed in Fort Wayne last year. I don't think leaving the league last season paid off for him now did it? He could have stayed here and been on a first place team (now and then) and had a great hockey organization to back him. And besides, with him and Henley on the ice, we would have had one tough defense not to mention probably the tallest. Oh, well...his loss.
I don't know about anyone else, but it's been a long week without hockey. Can't wait until next Friday. See you then. Go K's!!!
Posted by: Teresa | January 24, 2008 at 04:11 PM
2- seats for sale Feb 6th -sec. 200 great seats. What no King-Kong HENLEY ?? I guess cause he hasn't played that much. Komets 4-0 with HENLEY in the lineup!!!!
Posted by: mightbite | January 24, 2008 at 06:43 PM
I have a 1998 Brent Gretzky trading card. Stellar condition. taking offers.
Posted by: JungleMonkey | January 24, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Did this turn into an ebay auction or is this a message board?
Posted by: bidder | January 24, 2008 at 07:03 PM
I personally wouldn't put Van Druden or Bouchard on the All Star roster. Their language to opposing teams fans are less then exemplary. Also, for anyone heading up to Muskegon, we will be sitting in sec. 206, row g and h. Hope to see alot of Orange and .
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 24, 2008 at 07:22 PM
You could possibly make a case for Sterling as the back-up goalie. Or you could be a total "homer" and pick Boucher as the back-up!
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | January 24, 2008 at 07:37 PM
I would put Symington from K-zoo on the team also. When he has played against FW he has been very good and his overall save percentage I believe is in the top 2 or 3 in the league. I agree Alban is great and always has been. How about the new and improved Shafranov on the team? The last month of the season he would have definitely made it. (I am kidding he doesn't have ALL Star stats for the year but he is getting there.) GO KOMETS!
Posted by: Tom | January 24, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Can't gripe about your picks Mr. Cohn.
Posted by: kyle hunt | January 24, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Bidder, Do you want in on the Gretzky? Beckett value is $7.50....
=)
Posted by: JungleMonkey | January 24, 2008 at 09:28 PM
ive got a gretzky ist year nhl card. wayne gretzky that is!
Posted by: chuckitt | January 24, 2008 at 09:44 PM
I almost put Shafranov on there; opted for Curadeau instead.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 24, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Buckos- I put up tickets cause I can't make the game & to give someone a chance to sit in seats you can not buy- I got the ok from Justin before I ever did this. I do have a scar on left hand from a Lydon Byers tooth if you want to see it = priceless
Posted by: mightbite | January 25, 2008 at 05:11 AM
I knew you had good taste Justin...great minds think alike...glad you were thinking of Shafranov because earlier he went from getting no love to now getting some well deserved credit. I have scene games where Marchant has played well but I hope for his and the Komets sake it keeps up...he is outshined by his linemates often. I am not anti Terry but he still seems a bit behind everyone. I am still hoping to go to the game on Sat but thanks to Mr. Conley misunderstading me I am not sure I can get a ticket....Conley you owe me a haircut for that. GO KOMETS!
Posted by: Tom | January 25, 2008 at 07:57 AM
I saw Frenchy is out the rest of the year. Wow those were not to impressive of stats. To bad for his bad luck.
Posted by: Skoal Apple | January 25, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Poor Frenchy. Oh yeah... this just in... We have 2 yes 2 great goaltenders. Never would have happened with St. Pierre here.
Posted by: JungleMonkey | January 25, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I don't know that I would say great goalies. But Kevin is playing well right now. And has stepped up alot. Hopefully now when Nick comes back he can still be succesfull. Time will tell.
Posted by: Skoal Apple | January 25, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Age catches up with everybody eventually.
Posted by: kyle hunt | January 25, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Too bad about Frenchie!
BTW - you NEVER would have heard him share his success and glory with the rest of the team like Reiter does. Kudos to Reiter for being a real team player!
Go K's!!! Beat Flint tonight!
Posted by: Teresa | January 25, 2008 at 01:54 PM
All star games are a waste of time in any and all levels of sports. They should be done away with. No one wants to get hurt, the games are boring, and the game is meaningless. Do away with them.
Posted by: 212 Komet fan | January 25, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Never watch them.
Posted by: kyle hunt | January 25, 2008 at 03:57 PM
I went last year, mainly because the ticket was part of the season ticket package. The skills competition was way more exciting than the game itself. Don't know if I'd go to another one.
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | January 25, 2008 at 06:07 PM