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.
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.
I hope we get a young talented tough goalie. thats fun to watch.
Posted by: lovelost | July 31, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Fun to watch=but stays in his net=sometimes.
Posted by: mightbite | July 31, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Ah-Ha, I scooped Cohny
Posted by: Brandon | July 31, 2008 at 04:11 PM
What about Young Master Sims? Any chance we see son coached by dad this season?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | July 31, 2008 at 04:46 PM
mightbite...is that a reference to my "Get back in the net!!" screaming at the games?? And that fact that, no matter how talented, Reiter made me so nervous to watch? Oh well, glad he's getting his wish and all. He was a great goalie with an impressive record, so it is a bummer to see him go. But, this does free up a few more precious dollars...and we'll get a backup who will be awesome, I have every confidence in that!
Bruce, we could still put both of our kids in the net...OK, maybe I'm not willing to chance a Komets game on that one, but it would be funny to see 'em stacked in there, eh? BTW...Ra was AWESOME, and nice...got to meet 'em backstage. No, I did not rub Sahaj's bald head...even though Jerrdog of the Bear tried to sucker me into it...new drink for me: Jagerbombs...wow..feeling really bad today, but had fun last night!!
Posted by: Cat Eyes | July 31, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Great, I have a second player to tell my UK friends to support. Now if only I could get them interested in hockey. When I mentioned Brandon Warner's new team, the Hull Stingrays, to one of them, they said, "Hull has a hockey team?"
And Cat: I'm glad you enjoyed the concert! So how is Ra doing these days? I lost track of him after Cleopatra died. [groan] Seriously, though, that is very cool that you won the radio contest. Congratulatios! :)
Posted by: Wendy | July 31, 2008 at 05:44 PM
CatsEyes-don't know if I heard you or not but I think he stayed in his net more as the year went on./maybe get patrick roy boy=he can fight.
Posted by: mightbite | July 31, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Isn't Brandon Warner's new team his old team, the Komets?
Posted by: Hoss | July 31, 2008 at 05:50 PM
uh yeah..B-Dub is a Komet
Posted by: Brandon | July 31, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Reynolds did sign to play in Hull tho
Posted by: Brandon | July 31, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Mrs.Mightbite here: does anyone know if the new hotel across from coliseum will be open by opening night?
Posted by: Mrs. Mightbite | July 31, 2008 at 07:11 PM
OMG.....They traded Griffey JR.to the White Sox. I am SOOOOOOOOO BUMMED!
Posted by: Karla Stranger | July 31, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Darn it, now what am I gonna do with this orange and black bungee cord? :P Seriously though, I liked Reiter and wanted him to come back, even if I did have to sit on my hands to keep my nails intact while he was playing. I'm sure they'll bring in someone good to be the backup, let the speculation begin!
Cat- you gotta watch out for those Jagerbombs. Ugh...
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | July 31, 2008 at 07:29 PM
D'oh! I meant Matt Reynolds, of course. For some reason which even I don't understand, I tend to get their names confused.
And since I'm correcting things, I meant "Congratulations" to Cat, not some Italian-sounding congratulatory expression.
Posted by: Wendy | July 31, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Go Cubs Go.
I was introduced to a new drink last night. Cherry Coke Zero. Wow, that stuff is great. I feel great today too.
I watched David Gilmour in concert last night. He rocks.
Did anyone eat pizza last night?
Go Komets!!!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | July 31, 2008 at 07:59 PM
haha great post Hit!
Posted by: Brandon | July 31, 2008 at 08:22 PM
cat, yes it would be funning but i dont see that happening either putting both kids in the net for the komets
glad you enjoyed the concert and Jagerbombs they are good, had one about two weeks ago, i was fine the next day but then again i only had one
Posted by: bruce | July 31, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Hit, if you like Cherry Coke Zero, you should try stright Cherry Coke! It gives you such a rush!!! It will take you back to those crazy high school days when you used to sneak into your mom's "special spot" and take drink of Mt. Dew!!! The glory years....
And I did infact eat pizza tonight for dinner. It was Tony's and boy-o-boy was it the best! Have a fun Friday tomorrow!
Your fellow Ice Chipper,
Hoss
Posted by: Hoss | July 31, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Thanks Hoss. What are you watching on tv tonight? I like to flip through the channels so I can watch 1-2 minutes of everything. I had a diet cherry pepsi tonight. It was fantabulous!!! I might have another in a few minutes. That would involve me going up the stairs, into the garage, opening the icebox, and then opening the can. I sure do like cherry pop. MMMMMMMM!!! It makes me feel so goooooood.
Well, hope you sleep good tonight Hoss.
Your Buddy.
Hit.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | July 31, 2008 at 10:04 PM
PS...I might go to a Cubs game before the year is over. Hoss, I have a blue Ryan Theriot Jersey, A Blue BP Jersey, A Grey D-Lee jersey, a Blue Prior jersey, and a white and blue non-game majestic jersey. I am wanting to buy a Fukudome Blue Jersey and a Zambrano Home jersey. Which jersey should I wear if I go? Thanks for your help Hoss.
Hit.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | July 31, 2008 at 10:08 PM
HAPPY NEWS ON JASON EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE READ!
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jasonbaird
Posted by: Karla Stranger | August 01, 2008 at 12:22 AM
I was well on my way to head up til Milwaulkee today. My supervisor gave the go ahead, and encouragued us to head up to Mil. My leaving early after game 7 came into play, and I couldn't go up to Milwaukee. I wasn't as upset as the college student who I was taking.. GO CUBS GO
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | August 01, 2008 at 01:05 AM
Dear Hit,
Hi!!! It's Brandon! LOL! I was sitting in class and bored and stuff so I just thought I'd write and say WhAtS uP!?!?!If I was so super lucky like you, I would like definitally wear the Ryan Theriot jersey! He's The Riot! Get it?! The Riot is Theriot broken in half! My bff told me that! It's SO LOL funny! Cherry Coke Zero is pretty swell but you HAVE to try straight up coke with cherry syrup! It's intense! If you want a real rush, try the syrup alone...It's a sugar rush like no other! OMG! I was like WHOOOOOOOOOOOA!!
Your Pal,
Brandon!
Posted by: Brandon | August 01, 2008 at 01:19 AM
Dear Hit,
You sound like you have a lot of Cub's jerseys. It would be a tough choice, which one to wear. I would say you should get on this new "world-wide-web" thing and try out a "web-page" (you don't even have to turn them!) called "e-BAY." It's like a huge store that you can go up and down the "rows of stuff" without even leaving your house. Anyways, I would get a Mark Grace jersey, it's a classic, but I don't know if your should get gray or blue or even white with blue pin-stripes, they all confuse me on when they wear what and how. That's why I love the Komets, white at home, black on the road. Except when they wear orange on sundays, like some years. Ant then there is always the blue Napa jerseys, but those are only in warm-ups. Oh, and one month they wear them switched, and wear black at home and white on the road, but they still wear orange on sunday, cuase they can't switch sundays, or the big guy upstairs gets mad and then he only plays "Who Let the Dogs Out!" You know that reminds me of a great band that I tried to get to come and play at a hockey game since they are a huge hockey band, The Rolling Stones. They started playing because the couldn't play pond hockey anymore because they lost thier pucks and then they decided to use a stone on the side of the pond and when Mick (that's the older guy who sings) took a slap-shot to the chin, he said, "Those rocks sure do roll." and then the old guy that plays goalie and the drums said, "No Mick, it's a STONE!" Thus giving them a name. Then they played that "Hockey-Puck Woman" wich is a song about a wonam that loves hockey pucks and I thought it would be great for them to come play at a game, maybe to bring in a few more fans for a Wednesday night game, so I sent them a electronic letter (e-mail for short) to see if they would play their hockey song but they siad it was called "Honky Tonk Woman" and I said they could play their new stuff after they played their hockey song. I hope they come. But to get back to you Hit, I would just wear whichever jersey fit around that gut of your's, since you have been hitting the soda so hard this summer. LOL! LOL! LOL! LOL! <---- (That is world-wide-web for I made a funny!!!)
All my love,
Hoss
Posted by: Hoss | August 01, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Dear Brandon,
I don't know how you are reading this private letter I keep sending to Hit, but he is my friend and not your "Pal!" Please stop hacking into my letters. They are only for Hit and no one else. If I wanted others to read them, I would post them on a "Blog." (It's a place where people go and post stuff on the World-Wide-Web, someone should come up with a nickname for that so it's not so long!!!)
Thanks for being so understanding!
Your non-Pal,
Hoss
Posted by: Hoss | August 01, 2008 at 07:05 AM
P.S. "3W's" is much faster!!! I think it might stick!
"Sorry mom, I can't come out of the basement to eat dinner with the family cause I am on the 3W's!" (That sounds so much cooler and the kids at school will like me now! I'm popular!!!)
Posted by: Hoss | August 01, 2008 at 07:07 AM
FiveMinuteMajor...yeah, my bungee cord goes back into the garage, too...glad to know it was not just me!
Thanks, Bruce, Wendy, and FiveMinuteMajor..I did have fun, and was safe about it. Very funny Egyptian reference, there, Wendy...
Posted by: Cat Eyes | August 01, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Dear Hoss,
You're a jerkface! I'm magically delicious so I can see EVERYTHING you do..yes..E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! It's a gift but sometimes not a very nice one, you know what I'm talking about! sicko! If you don't like that I can see everything, I'll meet you on the playground at 4pm and we'll take care of this like manly men!
Talk to you soon!
Your enemy,
Brandon
Posted by: Brandon | August 01, 2008 at 02:47 PM
P.S.
Hit is my dear and good friend! A couple days ago we played marbles, had a sword fight, burned bugs with a magnifying glass, and ate turkey and cheese sammiches that my mommy made us..what you think about that?!
Posted by: Brandon | August 01, 2008 at 02:50 PM
To Hoss, Hit Somebody, and Brandon: I'm so sorry. I didn't realize that you three were still in Junior High. Or is it grade school?
And Hit Somebody, why not just go to the game naked? I'm sure all the ladies there could use a good laugh.
Posted by: Wendy | August 01, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Ok Cohny have your stripes on? Looks like ya need a referee.Your blog your problem. LOL
Posted by: Karla Stranger | August 01, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Dear Wendy,
I didn't realize that this was a hockey blog and not a place to have conversations about non-hockey garbage. I am sure there are plenty of other places to go to flirt and brag about the drink of the day.
Mr. Obvious.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 01, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Hit: 1
New Bloggers: 0
Posted by: Brandon | August 01, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Hit, do I look stupid to you? I've been on messageboards that would eat the likes of you for breakfast, so don't get me started. Don't worry Justin. I will always keep it clean, and I'm not someone to insult anyone if not provoked (like some). But I WILL stand up for someone who has done nothing but offer her friendship and kindness to everyone here. If you have a problem with her, you have a problem with me.
Posted by: Wendy | August 01, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Quick! Everyone grab your colored scarfs and sticks!
Posted by: Brandon | August 01, 2008 at 11:21 PM
mightbite MMA training $25 a hour.
Posted by: mightbite | August 02, 2008 at 05:51 AM
How about them Komets?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 02, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Anyone drink anything last night..LOL?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 02, 2008 at 01:06 PM
mightbite=6 Coors beers=too hot to drink alot.
Posted by: mightbite | August 02, 2008 at 02:02 PM
I like how Wendy tries to turn this into a fight...that's a classy lady right there!
Posted by: Brandon | August 02, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Brandon, if you can't see that is a fight, you're blinder than a playoff referee. You've mocked and humiliated a good person -- someone who simply wanted to come here, make friends, and talk about hockey in ALL of its aspects -- not just the one dimensional version some of you seem capable of grasping. She didn't fight back, so you kept it up until you truly hurt her. How is that not cruel?
So yes, I AM a classy lady. At least I'm honorable. I won't look the other way when a friend -- someone as kind-hearted as Cat -- is being attacked. Which reminds me...
MIGHTBITE: Cat said to tell you she said "Hello".
Posted by: Wendy | August 03, 2008 at 12:55 AM
If you're blind..yeah, that's the word we'll use..blind enough to think this is directly at Cat only, may lord have mercy on your soul.
Posted by: Brandon | August 03, 2008 at 02:42 AM
Hi-Cat + Wendy+ RaVeN = from mightbite + Mrs.Mightbite/the Mrs. has recovered from her surgery & getting ready for opening night.Not for sure if we'll make preseason games.
Posted by: mightbite | August 03, 2008 at 09:37 AM
mightbite...hope your mrs. recuperates well...I'm sure she will get there for opening night! Komet hockey is a pretty powerful incentive to get better! :)
Wendy...thanks for standing up for your friends! You rock! :)
Posted by: Cat Eyes | August 03, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Oh, don't worry. I know that your "He Man Woman's Hater's Club" has problems with the way most women think, speak, and act. But I also know that your remarks have absolutely nothing to do with me, personally. Okay, you don't know me, but trust me on this one. Dude, you are serioulsy barking up the wrong tree. I don't think you are even in the right forest. You have no idea.
and: Hello mightbite. I am glad to hear the Mrs. is recovering. :) As for the games, you'll get there when you get there, but I do hope it is sooner rather than later.
Posted by: Wendy | August 04, 2008 at 06:01 PM