The Fort Wayne Komets have been speaking with 19-year-old center Justin Hodgman about signing with the team, but despite a report out of the Erie Times-News, general manager David Franke said nothing's official yet.
"He is a kid that we're looking at, but he still needs to take a physical and no paperwork has been sent into the league," Franke said.
Hodgman, who has 34 goals and 76 points in 71 games with the Erie Otters, could join the Komets next week, Franke said. The Komets are permitted to sign two amateur players who don't count against their 19-man roster limit.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Sounds like a nice local amateur signing. Hope he can play like Milam did
Posted by: Andrew | March 11, 2008 at 05:06 PM
I know some here have asked why sign two amatures and mess up some good chemistry this team is having.
Here's my reasoning on why this is a good thing to do.
1)They will be rookies to help with the mandated rookie dress rule.
2) I think they could be used as leverage if players aren't playing up to their potential. Play better or you'll sit and the rookies play.
3) Since the Komets are really close to clinching home ice for the playoffs, anyone who has any type of injury can be rested and the Komets don;t have to go searching for bodies or play short.
Posted by: Greg | March 11, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Not thrilled about the comment that the IHL isn't a good league. Also, he might change his mind about not coming here next year when he sees over 8,000 people in the stands.
Posted by: Dan | March 11, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Dan, the reason he said this is not a good league is that most of his teammates have NHL contracts and will end up with AHL or ECHL teams for the rest of the season. This will be a good way for him to test his skill with seasoned vets. I don't forsee him staying on past this season.
Posted by: Shawn | March 11, 2008 at 05:36 PM
If the kid doesn't want to be here and he is so un-excited about being here...ummmmm.....why do we want him here? Maybe the quote wasn't totally accurate about how he feels, but it does sound kinda funny to me. He is coming to the best Minor League Hockey town in the world and maybe the best team in Minor League Hockey this year, yes I said it the best. He should be excited about it and I am sure Peter filled him in about the tradition and the history this team has. I wonder how the team will take this kids over-arrogance?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | March 11, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Laugh
Posted by: JR | March 11, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Maybe fans will worship him like they did Tremblay for 6 games. That dude ended up being a bust. I don't see this as anything to get all that excited about.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | March 11, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Do I get some credit for breaking this story?
I'll take a pair of John Stockton short!!!
Posted by: Junior | March 11, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Shorts.
I need a edit button on here.
Posted by: Junior | March 11, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Really though, what will he contribute to this team? He will carry the team's bags on every road trip, clean jocks, and get fresh water for the players. He might spend a time or two in the trash can. He will love being here after one day.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | March 11, 2008 at 06:00 PM
We don't know what he will contribute just as he doesn't know what this league is really like. Really, I think too much is being made out of what was written in the paper. I think his assessment made from afar was a honest one. Outside the circle of the IHL, it does not carry alot of cache' yet.
The Frankes have always done a pretty good job on the amatuers they bring in. I expect more of the same if this is made official. Greg has a good point that if he can play up to what his numbers are, he can fill in for some of the guys down the stretch.
Posted by: scoops | March 11, 2008 at 07:08 PM
It never hurts to have warm bodies around this time of year. I'm taking his comments with a grain of salt, no offense to any 19-year-olds who read here but I remember being 19 and thinking I knew it all and not being afraid to show it. Fast-forward a few years (ok more like 15 years) and now I see how silly I must have looked and sounded! I gotta agree with Hit- once he gets into a game in front of 8000+ fans I bet he'll be singing a different tune!
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | March 11, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Why bring 2 Am's anyway? We have rookies right now who need to play a regular shift. With a 27 pt lead why not give a Legualt/Warner a regular shift rather than bring in 2 guys just for the sake of bring 2 in? If you bring 2 in then 2 have to sit. You can still only dress 19 players. How many Am's have the K's brought in that have come back the next year? I can see the value if your club is hurt by injury, fighting for play-off spot, or you have no chance to make play-off's. What Vet's will they rest? Chaulk, Dupuis, Drouin, Marchant, Henley, Shafranov, Hansen? My guess none. So is it Huaklo, Reynolds,Aquino, Bertram?? Again none so it will be a rookie that will sit for the most part. My point to this is that you only of X amount of regular season games left with a more than comfortable lead so play the guys who have not gotten the ice time they need to develop. Because when play-off's come a guy like Legualt or even Warner more than likely will not be dressed as the 19th skater
Posted by: David | March 11, 2008 at 07:37 PM
I guess everyone forgot the 2004-2005 playoffs. Venedam and Nelson both went down with season ending injuries. It was one of the amateur pickups (Adam Kostichka) who stepped in and did the job. That season the team went 51-24-5 and had 3-30 goal scorers.
So every season it is nice to have young players, which know the system and have practiced with the team for a month, who can be inserted into the lineup.
Posted by: Shawn | March 11, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Please!!Bring out the Kaptain Komet sweaters for friday night!
Posted by: St.Christopher | March 11, 2008 at 10:13 PM
I'm with you St. Christopher
Posted by: Ryne Gurney | March 11, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Adam Kostichka and he is playing for who? He played 4 regular season games and had 2 pts and then 10 playoff games and had 2 pts yep you could say he was on fire. 14 total games and 4 pts. Did not return for the next season went to ECHL and had 8 pts in 63 games with Phoenix and then played for Chicago and had 8 pts in 25 games before he quit.
Posted by: David | March 12, 2008 at 08:30 AM
I don't understand this argument. You can add two talented players without having to give anyone up. They don't count against the roster size. What on earth would be the downsize of that? You don't have to play them any minimum number of games. This is a silly debate, in my opinion.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | March 12, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I agree with Justin. 2 freebies. Seems to be an obvious decision.
I would suggest the only downside would be bringing in a cancer to the team. I am not saying this kid is a locker room cancer in any way, because i don't know the first thing about him... Simply put, I hope the Frankes research someones character as well as their playing ability. Not the time of year to ruffle feathers in the locker room.
Posted by: komets123 | March 12, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Better yet...RBK Edge Kaptain Komet jerseys! Time to jump into 2008.
Posted by: St.Christopher | March 12, 2008 at 10:42 AM
RBK Edge?
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | March 12, 2008 at 10:46 AM
JM are you fishing again? I smell bait in the water. LOL
Posted by: St.Christopher | March 12, 2008 at 10:59 AM
It may bring in somebody like Jamie Milam who really helped us or could bring in a serviceable player. More than that, its a valueable resource for recruiting someone else down the road which is something you do not see on a stat sheet. How many times do we get a player because of word of mouth?
Posted by: scoops | March 12, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Justin, you of all people should know we can't go that long without some debate on any topic.
Posted by: Greg | March 12, 2008 at 11:24 AM
I agree with new sweaters. Should make more in souvenir sales.
Posted by: Conley | March 12, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Conley, always looking at ways to make a profit :)
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | March 12, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Speaking of sweaters, is this weekend the one where they wear the designed jersey from the contest?
Posted by: scoops | March 12, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Gotta make that money. I think the top team should start looking like it. We have looked the same too long. By the way. I thought it was a silent auction for those camos not blind.
Posted by: Conley | March 12, 2008 at 01:14 PM
You still can only dress 19 in a game so who get's put on the 7 day I am not hurt list..Ask Warner how bad his knee is, he just got put on the 21 day..He was feeling ok last Saturday and hope to be activated last weekend..My point is you take away ice time from somebody who may need it just so you can bring in 2 guys?
Posted by: David | March 12, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Scoops the Arts United designer jerseys will be worn on March 22 vs Flint. Auction will be held on the 28th I believe. Don't think they'll be RBK Edge though,that counts me out.
Posted by: St.Christopher | March 12, 2008 at 01:39 PM
A new jersey design wouldn't be too bad for next season...just as long as they don't do like the European soccer and hockey leagues. They seriously unveil new designs every year or two. Silly. And expensive.
Posted by: Turner | March 12, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Nowhere is it written you have to play them.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | March 12, 2008 at 01:53 PM
What ever happened to if it aint broke don't fix it. Clinch home ice for the huge field of teams and then let the horses rest. They have played hard this seaon.
Posted by: Conley | March 12, 2008 at 02:25 PM
"Nowhere is it written you have to play them."
Then why bring them in? These guys are a longshot to return the following year anyway. If we need help because of injuries, needed to fine a way to motivate certain players, close to a play-off berth, or had no chance of reaching the play-off's then fine no problem but we are not in any of these situations. I never have seen the value of bring these guys in now or in the past. Play the guys who need ice time..Try to show them you want them back and reward them for the dedication to this point.
Posted by: David | March 12, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Why not use these guys to give some of the Vets some rest? With this long break before a meaningful game, why not give some of the older players some rest.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | March 12, 2008 at 02:57 PM
I totally agree with Justin- why not add two players, who if they don't work out, we can ship out of here. This argument isn't even worth the effort. Its like if someone told me to take a car home free of charge for the next two months. I wouldn't have to pay anything for it for those two months and if I liked it after the two months, I could pay for it next year. That would be a hell of a deal! Who passes up on that deal.
Posted by: jonndfi | March 12, 2008 at 03:06 PM
They use Athletic Knit jerseys. RBK Edge jerseys...aren't those the expensive ones that were suppposed to repel water but did the exact opposite?
Posted by: Andrew | March 12, 2008 at 03:09 PM
No they repel water, the problem was they repelled water to the hands and feet so gloves and socks got soaked.
Posted by: Greg | March 12, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Correct me if I am wrong but if the players coming up from amatuer status do not count against your roster size, then nobody needs to go to the IR list.
At this point in the season if you don't have some kind of nagging injury or some soreness, you have not been playing hard enough. There is bound to be someone who could use a day off.
Playing for the K's is a year to year gig. The players know that. The entire roster is always subject to being a longshot on returning.
Posted by: scoops | March 12, 2008 at 03:16 PM
And your point Andrew?
Posted by: St.Christopher | March 12, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Do the AM players count for the sal. cap?
Posted by: Hoss | March 12, 2008 at 04:00 PM
What if those two players we are looking at are secret spies sent from port huron to infiltrate our system and going to take back info on the inner works of the Ks?
Posted by: Conley | March 12, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Hoss, you brought up something I have always wondered. What is the salary cap in the IHL?
Posted by: Homco | March 12, 2008 at 04:21 PM
After seeing these teams at least 10 times already. I think they already know what the inner workings are. it's just a matter of who wants it more.
Posted by: Greg | March 12, 2008 at 04:43 PM
I believe the cap is 13,000 a week, unless you're the Fury, then it's minus 3,000 a week
Posted by: Junior | March 12, 2008 at 05:28 PM
sign him now!
Posted by: lovelost | March 12, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Ok, sorry for being naive about this, but is that $13K per player or per roster per week.
Because essentially a 35K sallery seems small but then a 676K sallery seems big.
Is there really that much money floating around the IHL?
Posted by: Homco | March 12, 2008 at 05:58 PM
I seen k-zoo played a AM. game today- does that sound right?
Posted by: mightbite | March 12, 2008 at 06:34 PM
Against who?...
Posted by: morency fan | March 12, 2008 at 06:38 PM
You've got to think of salary cap as full season, I'll have to doublecheck, but I think it's $285,000. But remember, guys on IR don't count against the cap, so you can save a lot of money if guys are hurt. The amateurs don't count against the cap, though, come playoff time, for some strange reason.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | March 12, 2008 at 06:48 PM