Ice Chips 06'-07': Reiter comments on move to England

About Ice Chips

Justin A. Cohn, pro sports coordinator for The Journal Gazette, has been covering the Fort Wayne Komets since 1997. His reporting includes game stories from home and away, features about the players and personalities associated with the Komets, plus coverage of issues affecting hockey at all levels. A native of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Cohn graduated from Emory University in Atlanta. He can be reached at 260-461-8429 or by email at jcohn@jg.net.

July 31, 2008

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

Posted at 09:24 PM in Hockey world news, Komets analysis, Player rumors and talk, Transactions | Permalink