Ice Chips 06'-07'

Reiter comments on move to England

Kevin Reiter said the decision to leave the Komets to play for the Basingstoke Bison of the Elite League was a difficult one but he's looking forward to the excitement of the move.

"I've never been to Europe and it's something I've wanted to do," he said. "I wanted to parlay my success into an opportunity. It wasn't for the money or because I wanted more playing time. It's just something different and something new."

While playing, he will take classes toward a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Winchester.

"I've had friends that played (in Europe) and old coaches who have said, 'Oh, you've got to get over there and try it if you can,'" Reiter said, adding he turned down a couple of offers, including one from a team in France.

Reiter liked that the adjustment wouldn't be too drastic, going to an English-speaking country, close enough for his family to visit.

So what does this mean for the Komets? Expect Nick Boucher, who was the goalie when the Komets captured the Turner Cup, to get the bulk of the playing time, even though the team hasn't ruled out finding a goalie to alternate with him. Boucher, by the way, played a season with Basingstoke.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Reiter not returning to K's

Kevin Reiter, who was selected as the International Hockey League's Goaltender of the Year, will not return for a second season with the Fort Wayne Komets.

He has opted to play in England, according to general manager David Franke.

"We're disappointed," Franke said. "We kept in contact with Kevin, and he had a very good offer in front of him from us. But playing overseas is something Kevin has wanted to do for the last two or three years, and with the season he had with us last year, his value was at the highest point it could be and he wanted to parlay that into a job in Europe."

Reiter couldn't be reached for comment.

Despite his impressive regular-season numbers -- he was 32-10-4 with a 2.34 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage and eight shutouts -- Reiter was not in net when the Komets won the Turner Cup. Nick Boucher, who split time with Reiter during the regular season, won the final three games of the playoffs, as Fort Wayne recovered from a 3-1 series deficit to Port Huron.

Boucher has already re-signed with Fort Wayne for the coming season and will, probably, get the bulk of the work.

"We'll find someone we have a lot of faith in. They'll be the backup and this elevates Nick into the No. 1 position, and I doubt we'll be in a rotation system," Franke said. "But it does depend on what we find and there may be an alternating system again."

Meanwhile, defenseman Kevin Hansen has signed a two-year contract to play for Tulsa of the Central Hockey League, Franke confirmed.

No gold star for this one

You really can have too much of a good thing and they're about to prove that in Kalamazoo, Mich. They've been coloring the ice for years at Wings Stadium -- green on St. Patrick's Day, pink on Valentine's Day -- and now they're going, um, gold.

OK, I know this makes me a grinch since this is raising money for a great charity -- click here to read about it -- but I'm not lovin' it, pardon the pun. When it was just green ice, it was really cool. I thought pink ice, with hearts for faceoff markers, was was taking away from the uniqueness.

Now, this is going overboard. There are other ways to raise money and still get the McDonald's sponsorship. But, it'll be fun to see them skating on yellow ice. Hopefully, they know not to eat it.

By the way, the Wings signed goalie Jason Tapp.

• Interesting story out of the Flint Journal: The Generals are bringing in a hypnotherapist to work with the team. OK, I've heard worse ideas, but it's interesting that they let this go public before they signed most of their team. I wonder if it would give some players, those a little less, oh, adventuresome, pause.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Warner returns

Hey, it's me, Ben Smith, Justin Cohn's stunt double.  I'm making a guest appearance today on Ice Chips to pass along a couple pieces of news:

* Brandon Warner has re-upped for another season with the Komets. The Carroll High School grad scored six goals and 13 assists last season as a rookie defenseman and improved all season long, culminating with some solid play in the playoffs.

* In addition to Warner, the Komets also signed three players out of the Quebec juniors system, including a couple of solid offensive standouts.  Jean-Phillippe Roy-Vallieres scored 54 goals and 118 points last season and Samuel Bergeron put up 52 goals and 112 points for the Quebec entry in the QJAHL.

The Komets also added center Maxime Gravelle, who saw action in seven games for Vaudreuil of the QJAHL, scoring two goals and eight points.

-- Ben Smith, The Journal Gazette       

   

K's should have tryouts

So, I have a suggestion for the Komets. Tell me what you think.

I think the Komets should have open tryouts for hockey players in the Fort Wayne area. Now, before you start calling me crazy, I'm not suggesting, necessarily, that there is actually another Colin Chaulk lurking in our territory, although, you never know.

But I believe it would actually benefit the Komets to know what kind of talent, if any, is available in the Fort Wayne area. Why? Because of all those many times the team has to play short of a full lineup because of injuries or emergencies that come up.

I think it would behoove the team, should they suddenly find themselves down a man hours before a game in Flint, Mich, that they can call Player X or Player Y, get them under contract and have a warm body for the bench. Maybe they won't be all that good, but a decent skater is better than no skater. Hey, the equipment manager has had to play in the past, so you never know when you might need a guy, and it would save the hassle of trying to track someone down from Saskatchewan or someplace like that.

And if nothing else, it would be good public relations locally, a lot of fun for the many recreational players around to town (no, I'm not including myself in that list), and would perhaps give the team some extra players for those optional practices which are often so worthless.

Besides, I have seen a few guys out at McMillen Ice Arena who wouldn't look completely out of place with the likes of the International Hockey League.

Hey, just an idea, as I'm hanging out down in Terre Haute at Colts training camp.

• In less happy news, the wife of former Komets player Terry McDougall has died. Click here to see the obituary.
• The Flint Journal took a few weeks off from the incessant bashing of Fort Wayne, which was kind, given all the sad news in the local hockey community in recent weeks. (See previous posts if you don't know what I'm referring to with that.) But the newspaper was back at it in this entry: Click here, where the Journal also suggests the IHL should have an All-Star Game.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Ex-Komets are everywhere

Former Komets player Mike Butters, who played for the team from 1989 to 1991, was named general manager of the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals. The selection was made by the Admirals' parent club, the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.

• Former Komets forward Blake Stewart, the journeyman of the International Hockey League, has re-signed with the Bloomington Prairie Thunder.
• Aaron Wilson, a short-timer with the Komets, has signed with Muskegon.
• Chris Busby, who spent time with the Komets, has retired.
• Sean Venedam, the popular former Komets forward, is in the blogosphere. Click here to read an entry about recently deceased ex-Komet Rob Guinn.
• For those wanting an update on Jason Baird, the recently signed Muskegon player who was burned over 60 percent of his body when a lawnmower he was riding exploded, click here. To read the news account of what happened, click here.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Hukalo re-signs with Komets

David Hukalo pondered retirement -- no, he doesn't know what he'll do post-hockey -- but a return to the Fort Wayne Komets for at least one more year was too good to pass up.

Winning a championship last season was too much fun. Having a pain-free body was too delightful.

Why not give it one more go-around?

"Yeah, let's do it one more year and see what happens," Hukalo said, after re-signing with the Komets on his 30th birthday, Monday. "If I go beyond this season will depend on how my body holds up. But last year, I didn't have any major injuries, which was quite a change from the few years before that.  ... If I played, I didn't want to go anywhere else but here. This is home."

Hukalo was selected as the International Hockey League's Best Defensive Forward last season, a year after winning the same honor with the Komets in the United Hockey League. His offensive production en route to regular-season and playoff championships made Hukalo even more valuable to the Komets, who brought him back for his sixth season with the team.

"We expect him to move up and play on the second line," general manager David Franke said. "Due to his breakout season, we know he can do it offensively and defensively. He's an important part of the hockey club, a key to us winning championships."

Hukalo had career highs in goals (20), assists (24) and points (44) in 70 games last season.

His return gives the Komets nine players, including seven from last season -- forwards Hukalo, Colin Chaulk, P.C. Drouin and Konstantin Shafranov, defensemen Guy Dupuis and Kevin Bertram, plus goaltender Nick Boucher.

"That's a bunch of older, veteran guys," Hukalo said, "and to have them back with their winning traits, it's good. They know how to play, how to win, and it's good to have that group back."

The Komets also determined their three-game exhibition schedule: They will play host to the Bloomington PrairieThunder on Oct. 8 at Memorial Coliseum, play at Kalamazoo, Mich., on Oct. 10, then finish a home-and-home series against the Wings on Oct. 11.

Fort Wayne's regular season begins Oct. 17 at Port Huron, Mich.

• Franke said Luciano Aquino, who played last season with the Komets, will attended a prospect camp with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. ... Franke is also still hopeful goalie Kevin Reiter will re-sign with the Komets.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

More shocking news from the IHL; update on Reiter

It's uncanny how bad news always comes in threes. Recently signed Muskegon forward Jason Baird was critically injured in a landscaping accident near Youngstown, Ohio, the Fury said in a statement.

Click here for the team's release. Here's more from Greg Rajan.

This comes less than a week after ex-Komets defenseman Rob Guinn died at 32 in a car accident and former Komets player Hartley McLeod died at 81.

For more uplifting news: I ran into goaltender Kevin Reiter, and he said it's still possible he will return to the Komets to split time with goalie Nick Boucher. Reiter is very interested in playing in Europe, though, but intimated that if he plays in North America, it will be in Fort Wayne.

I'd put the chances of his return at 50 percent.

As for those who keep saying there's some sort of rift between Reiter and Boucher -- no way. When Boucher re-signed with Fort Wayne, one of his first calls was to Reiter, and he hopes the championship pair is reunited.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

More on Guinn, McLeod

The memorial for former Komets player Rob Guinn, who died Saturday at 32, is later today in Ames, Iowa. I was asked to give a eulogy but, unfortunately, was unable to attend. However, I wanted to share with Guinn's many fans the written piece I sent to his wife, Brooke, to be  shared with the attendees at the service. It was one of the more difficult things I've written.

You can read it by clicking here: Download guinn_eulogy.doc

Meanwhile, the services for former Komets player Hartley McLeod, who died Monday at 81, will be Friday, 11 a.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, 609 Putnam St., with calling one hour prior.

Calling also goes 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at D.O. McComb & Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Ave.

Click here to read the entire obituary on McLeod, well known in Fort Wayne also as the founder of Hartley's Place restaurant, who was also a linesman in the International Hockey League.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Updates, we've got updates

I have some more updates on the Komets' front.

• The Komets are still hopeful they can sign goaltender Kevin Reiter, who couldn't be reached for comment, but general manager David Franke said he's also getting interest from Europe.
• Forward Mitch Woods has signed with Cincinnati of the ECHL, Franke said.
• Playoff MVP Justin Hodgman has been invited to a second rookie camp by the Minnesota Wild, Franke said, and the Wild now has his NHL rights. If he doesn't stick, he'll probably go back to juniors.
• Right wing Luciano Aquino is trying to get a two-way contract with an NHL team or an AHL contract; in other words, he's trying to play at a higher level than the International Hockey League. "We want him back," Franke said, "but on a scale of 1 to 10, it's probably only a 4 or 5 that it happens."
• The Komets would very much like to get center Mathieu Curadeau back but they haven't had much discussion with his agent. Curadeau, too, would like to play at a higher level.
• The Komets are hopeful to have forward Olivier Legault back, too, but that has stalled somewhat.
• Right wing Evgeny Saidachev has an offer from the Komets, but he's also receiving interest from the Central Hockey League.
• The team has a meeting set up with defenseman Brandon Warner, a Fort Wayne native, and the Komets hope they can sign him soon.
• Defenseman Kevin Hansen is has a meeting set up with the Komets, but I'm hearing he could be CHL bound.
• Defenseman Brent Henley is a question mark; he wants to get a tryout with an NHL team or could wind up in Europe.
• Forward Terry Marchant is unlikely to receive an offer from the Komets.
• Defenseman Ken Dufresne is expected to go to Canadian University.
• THIS ADDED LATE: The Komets are close with David Hukalo, so I expect him to be back.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

K's sign 4, including Dupuis, Boucher

The captain is coming back. The Cup-winning goaltender is, too.

Among the Fort Wayne Komets' four signings Tuesday were longtime defenseman Guy Dupuis, who captained the team to their Turner Cup playoff championship last season, and Nick Boucher, who was the netminder in the last three games as the Komets recovered from a 3-1 series deficit against the Port Huron IceHawks.

The team also signed physical right wing Brad MacMillan and rookie defenseman Danko Mironovic.

For the 38-year-old Dupuis, it will be his 19th season in the professional ranks, his 12th with the Komets. Last season, he tallied 15 goals and 58 points in 69 games and was selected as the International Hockey League's Defenseman of the Year. He took the same honor with the Komets the previous season in the United Hockey League.

Boucher, 27, was 24-2-4 with a 2.32 goals-against average in the regular season, while splitting time with Kevin Reiter, who won the IHL's Goaltender of the Year award. In the playoffs, Boucher went 5-2 with a 2.09 GAA.

"My wife's going to be attending law school in Chicago, so it made sense for both of us to stay in the Midwest," said Boucher, who turned down offers to play in Europe. "It's pretty well known in minor-pro hockey that they treat their players well in Fort Wayne. It was a no brainer and wasn't a hard decision on my part to want to come back."

The Komets are still talking with Reiter about a return, an idea Boucher supports.

"I would love to play with him again," Boucher said. "We both enjoyed having each other as partners. Whether it's Kevin or another guy, with the way the (76-game) schedule is, it's not a bad thing to have two guys who can play. Look at last season, I was out for a month with an injury, so it's good to have another guy you can look to."

Neither Reiter nor general manager David Franke couldn't be reached for comment.

MacMillan, 25, played five games last season with Trois of the semi-pro Ligue Nord Americaine de Hockey, tallying two goals and three points. In 52 games with Missouri of the UHL in 2005-06, he had seven goals, 12 points and 230 penalty minutes in 52 games.

Mironovic, 21, who is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, had seven goals, 22 points and 80 penalty minutes with Vaughan, a junior team, last season.

The Komets have eight players under contract, including forwards Konstantin Shafranov, P.C. Drouin and Colin Chaulk, plus defenseman Kevin Bertram, all of whom were on last season's team.

"As many guys as we can sign from last season's team, the better," Dupuis said. "We had good chemistry in the dressing room and obviously a lot of talent, with good character. To me, the more we can sign from last year, the better. So far so good. I've seen teams that had lots of talent and didn't mesh o the ice, but we had a lot of talent and we meshed. Don't break a good thing.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Funeral and donation information for Rob Guinn

I just got this information from Brooke Guinn, widow of former Komets defenseman Rob Guinn, who died in a car accident Saturday at the age of 32. He is survived by a 5-month-old daughter, Olivia.

There will be a celebration of Rob's life Wednesday at Grandon Funeral in Ames, Iowa, 414 Lincolnway. The phone number there is 515/292-2273. It will be from 5 to 7 p.m., with a short service.

Those attending are asked to bring memories of Rob.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the Rob Guinn Memorial Fund, to support Olivia's future education. Those can be sent to the Leighton Legal Law Firm, 802 N. Clinton Street, Suite 1, Bloomington, Ill., 61701.

On-line condolences and memories of Rob -- they are putting together a scrapbook for Olivia -- can be sent to the family at [email protected].

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

I guess it finally hit me -- pow -- like a Rob Guinn hip-check

I must admit, even though I have to write about death quite often -- more often than you might think, as a sports writer -- I find myself affected today.

The Monday death of Hartley McLeod, who was 81 and had battled Alzheimer's and dementia, was of course sad news. But he wasn't a player in my time here, wasn't of my era, wasn't someone I knew other than a handshake over a steak at his restaurant.

Rob Guinn, however, was my age -- 32. His daughter, Olivia, is 5 months old, while mine is 16 months old.

That hits home.

His wife, Brooke, writing to me, "I have no doubt in my mind that she and I were his last thought," that shook me.

I have received several e-mails and calls from people shocked by Guinn's death, which came Saturday after a car accident in Iowa, after an elderly man ran a stop sign. There aren't too many players I've come across that I feel completely safe in declaring, "Now that was a good guy."

Guinn was one of them.

I recall him leaving practices wearing scrubs because he was taking nursing classes. They called him Gaylord Focker, a reference to "Meet the Parents," because of it. He took it as a compliment. He had his toughness questioned by readers on this very blog, as incredulous a thing as anything I've read, considering he didn't miss a single game in two seasons here.

I guess it didn't quite settle into my brain Sunday night, as I tried to find out what happened, where it happened, who might know about it. But after things cooled down in the office today, I started remembering some things about Guinn -- how he was always a go-to guy for comment in the locker room because of his maturity, how many appearances he made in the Fort Wayne community, that great play he made to set up Jonathan Goodwin for the Game 7 winner in the 2005 semifinals.

Sad stuff.

The truest testament to Guinn I can give you comes from the readers, some of whom are former teammates and reporters who covered him. Check out the comments section of the last few posts and you'll see.

Meanwhile, for all those who asked how to get in touch with the family with well-wishes, I will pass them along when I have them, so check back.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Former Komet McLeod dies, while K's still mourn Guinn

Hartley McLeod, who played for the Komets from 1954 to 1958, died Monday at the age of 81, his son said.

McLeod, who went on to be a linesman in the old International Hockey League for 10 years, founded the upscale restaurant Hartley's, 4301 Fairfield, Ave., in 1983.

He was at the Covington Manner Health and Rehabilitation Center, said his son, Hartley McLeod Jr., and died of natural causes following a battle with Alzheimer's and dementia.

"Oh, (hockey) was very important to him," said McLeod Jr. "He was born and raised in Selkirk, Manitoba, and he left when he was 15 years old to go play junior (hockey) in Western Canada. That was his life until (he stopped refereeing). All his best friends were hockey players. Gordie Howe was one of his closest friends."

A left wing, McLeod's best season came in 1955-56, when he tallied 28 goals and 66 points in 60 games.

McLeod's death came two days after 32-year-old former Komets defenseman Rob Guinn died in a car accident in Greene County, Iowa, when another driver, 65-year-old Jon Anderson, ran a stop sign and collided with him, according to the Des Moines Register.

Guinn is survived by a 5-month-old daughter, Olivia, and wife Brooke.

Brooke sent this e-mail to The Journal Gazette:

"If there's one thing I can say about Rob, it is that he loved Olivia and me with all his heart. He was such a wonderful father and husband, taking care of Olivia during the day while I was at work. No matter where we went Rob was carrying her, playing with her and most of all loving her. I have no doubt in my mind that she and I were his last thought. I will miss him more than words can say and am so thankful for the outreach of support I have gotten from all of the organizations Rob has played with, fans, and former teammates. It is such a blessing to know he was loved so much. He lives on through Olivia and me."

Brooke said a trust fund will be set up for Olivia, with details to follow.

Guinn was best known for his toughness -- despite several injuries, he didn't miss any games in two seasons with the Komets from 2004 to 2006 -- and for setting up Jonathan Goodwin's goal in overtime of Game 7 of the 2005 United Hockey League semifinals. That completed a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit.

McLeod is survived by wife Wanda, daughter Pamela Downs, son John Getts and McLeod Jr., who also went on to referee professionally.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Former Komet Rob Guinn dies -- updated

Rob Guinn, a defenseman with the Fort Wayne Komets from 2004 to 2006, has died according to sources.

Guinn, 32, died in a car accident, confirmed Kevin St. Pierre, who was a teammate of Guinn's for two seasons in Fort Wayne and last season with Tulsa of the Central Hockey League.

Guinn's internet page at Facebook.com included a message from his wife, Brooke, reading: "It is with great sadness that I let you know that Robert James Guinn passed away Saturday. He was a wonderful husband, father and friend and will truly be missed."

Guinn tallied 15 goals and 68 points in 156 games with Fort Wayne. He finished last season with Bloomington of the International Hockey League.

He was selected in the eighth round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, by the Edmonton Oilers.

According to the Des-Moines Register, Guinn died after another driver failed to stop at an intersection, causing a collision, and Guinn's car landed in a ditch.

Guinn was one of the nicest players I've come across here, not to mention one of the toughest and most underrated. This is sad news.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Shafranov, Bertram re-sign

Veterans Konstantin Shafranov and Kevin Bertram will return to the Komets.

“We are retaining two important players for our defending Turner Cup team with the signing of Shafranov and Bertram,” Komets’ general manager David Franke said in a statement. “Once both players got re-acclimated to the IHL style of play they were major contributors to our overall success.”

Shafranov, 39, returned to the Komets last season after seven years in the Russian Elite League. He posted 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points in 71 games. Next season will be the winger’s 18th pro year and fifth in Fort Wayne. He was the IHL Rookie of the Year in 1995-96, leading the Komets with 46 goals.

Bertram, 31, is returning for his sixth season. The defenseman appeared in 74 games, registering 15 assists while accumulating 271 penalty minutes. He was named the Komets’ Unsung Hero.

The two join center Colin Chaulk and winger P.C. Drouin as returnees for the upcoming season.

-- LaMond Pope

Best of the best

I'm on vacation right now, but fear not -- I wouldn't leave you without a topic to ponder.

Today, I give you the list of the best Komets players of the past nine seasons. (That encompasses all of the Komets time at the AA level of hockey.) No particular criteria here. Some were picked because of skills showed over long periods of time, others over short periods of time. Some were great leaders. Some great agitators.

10) Kevin St. Pierre -- All the guy did was win. Well, except a championship.

9) Frederic Bouchard -- Maybe not reliable defensively, but he was an offensive dynamo from the blue line.

8) Michel Massie -- Great leadership, good agitator, decent scorer, and he gave it his all every shift.

7) Bobby Stewart -- Streaky, but he was an offensive machine.

6) Luciano Aquino -- Almost every shift, he makes an impact.

5) Sean Venedam -- Whether at center or  wing, he was money.

4) Kelly Perrault --  A great scoring defenseman, who didn't get enough credit for his defense.

3) Guy Dupuis -- Summed up in one word: Reliable.

2) Keli Corpse -- Had the ability to take over games on his own.

1) Colin Chaulk -- Longevity, leadership and, most of all, production.

Honorable mentions: Jonathan Goodwin, Konstantin Shafranov, Doug Teskey, Brent Gretzky, David-Alexandre Beauregard, Tom Lawson, Nick Boucher, Dustin Virag, Dave Lemay, P.C. Drouin, Justin Hodgman, Mathieu Curadeau, Kevin Schmidt, Jim Logan, Troy Neumeier, Jason Goulet, Kelly Hurd, Bruce Richardson, David Hukalo

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Chin story

Click here to read Steve Warden's story on Roy Chin. And there's some news on Justin Hodgman, the Komets' playoff MVP, in here.

Roy Chin profiled

Although the retirement party's been held and Roy Chin has hung up his skates for the last time, there will be a profile of the popular papa of former Komets captain Colin Chin in Friday's Journal Gazette.

Roy Chin sat down with me and talked candidly about his fight with cancer, and looks back on a coaching and volunteer career that got started in the early '60s.

-- Steve Warden, The Journal Gazette

Durdin leaving

Click here to read Mike Rothstein's story on Sergei Durdin's departure.