I've been giving some thought as to which teams in the International Hockey League look the best so far. Here are the rankings, bearing in mind it's still early in the offseason and this will all drastically change:
1) Fort Wayne: The defending champions have already signed much of their star talent, including Colin Chaulk, Guy Dupuis, P.C. Drouin and Nick Boucher, and coach Al Sims is back. They still need to bring in some more youthful skill players, to replace Mathieu Curadeau and Luciano Aquino, assuming they don't return. But things look really good in Fort Wayne so far.
2) Port Huron: Like the Komets, the Icehawks aren't messing with a good thing. Goalie Larry Sterling is solid. Jamie Carroll, Tab Lardner and Jeff Zehr will light it up offensively. And Jamie Lovell is a nice defenseman.
3) Muskegon: Lots of big moves, lots of new talent, like Frank Littlejohn, Chad Woollard. Losing Jason Baird to a horrific offseason injury -- he was burned badly in an accident -- will hurt the Fury, but there's time for it to recover. Still, I'm waiting for the Fury to take on the physical persona of its coach, former Komet Bruce Ramsay.
4) Flint: I'm not too impressed so far, mostly because the faces are too familiar. With a full season, Justin DePretis should be a star in this league, though, and a healthy Matt Spezza could be a good goalie. But I'm surprised the Generals stuck with Peter South as coach, after he took over on an interim basis last season, and I'm not sure they have any players yet who will scare the opposition offensively or physically.
5) Bloomington: I'm really not sure about the hire of Jarrod Skalde as coach. I just believe, given the region and the arena, this should be a really attractive job, but the PrairieThunder hasn't gone with proven coaches. Still, with new ownership, hopefully this team will pay the bills and actually get and keep some talent. So far, there's some promise, with forwards Don Parsons and Jon Booras, but there's much work to be done for a team that simply must win this season.
6) Kalamazoo: Wow, new rookie coach Nick Bootland has nothing we can even analyze yet. Jason Tapp is a so-so goalie and Glenn Detulleo is a solid center. Beyond that, the Wings have lots of work to do. It would be sad to see a proud market field another mediocre-to-bad team this season.
- Fort Wayne-native Brian Gratz, a former goaltender with the Komets, has been hired to coach the Jersey Rockhoppers of the Eastern Professional Hockey League. Last season, he coached the Indiana (Penn.) Ice Miners of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League, which suspended operations when his team was 31-1-0.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
thanks for the input.
Posted by: lovelost | August 01, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Detulleo may be a solid center but he always sucked as a ninja turtle...A purple scarf and a stick..wimpy!
Posted by: Brandon | August 01, 2008 at 03:39 PM
HAHA ;)
Posted by: Wingmnn | August 01, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Emphasis on the first paragraph. But hey, it does give those who can't stand casual chit-chat, even when it's about hockey, something to talk about.
By the way, I was reading about the "premium game" ticket pricing the NHL earlier. $78 to $233 a ticket? Holy... uh... excrement!
Posted by: Wendy | August 01, 2008 at 04:00 PM
I saw on TV & comments in the papaer, Komets are still looking for a veteran D-Man, not saying he is the best option, has anyone herd any comments on (Soupy) Eddie Campbell? Why he did not finish the year in K-Zoo, or if he is still playing? Any info would be greatly appreciated, thank you.(NEW GUY TO THE BLOG) THANKS AGAIN.
Posted by: 1-2 Punch | August 01, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Get Purinton.
Posted by: mightbite | August 01, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Ohhhh Fast Eddie. I know he is real good friends with Rich!! Rich might have the update on him. :)
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | August 01, 2008 at 04:41 PM
No Justin, you cannot put this kiss of death on this team. Pick Flint as the Paper Champs again this year...please!!! You go and say crazy things like the Komets look good on paper, and you will doom this team. Go back and look at all the rosters again, I mean really look close. The Komets are no better than 5th place and Flint is surely once again the paper champs. Ok Cohn, get it right this time.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 01, 2008 at 06:50 PM
JC...
You forgot about a certain Mr. Todd Robinson signing for Muskegon. A former MVP and a hardcore threat every year
Posted by: Brandon | August 01, 2008 at 07:41 PM
As far as I am concerned....BPT looks a lot better on paper than anyone. Lots of NHL exp. no matter how little.
Posted by: Karla Stranger | August 01, 2008 at 08:20 PM
purinton
Posted by: chuckitt | August 01, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Brandon...OK, could not resist even thought you're probably pulling my leg...a ninja turtle??? What!?
Posted by: Cat Eyes | August 01, 2008 at 08:29 PM
We have Dupuis and Bertram as veterans. Then we have a rookie in Warner that will def. stay. The other guy will not make the team, sorry. I say one more veteran D-man that is tough to put on a line with Bertram and put Warner and Dupuis together. Especially on powerplay. Warner needs to play more on powerplay because he has a great shot. Which i praised when we got Durdin because I knew he had a crazy shot and look what happened. But still Warner needs more ice time on powerplay He is a offensive D-man and needs to play more.
Posted by: lovelost | August 01, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Cat, if you see this, Brandon was alluding to the similarity between the names "Detulleo" and the purple Ninja Turtle "Donatello". Donatello used a staff, the most versatile of all martial arts weapons.
Posted by: Wendy | August 01, 2008 at 10:25 PM
some call it a staff...others call it a stick.
Do you think he'd pick up a new "staff" every day? Just pick a twig off any tree you might pass and...WALAH!
Stupid purple stick carrier...
Posted by: Brandon | August 01, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I doubt Soupy will be signed by the Komets. His game has gone way down over the past three seasons. He couldn't hardly hang with a bad K-zoo team last season.
While on the subject, I'm all for adding another vet to the defense. Sign experienced players to a position like defense and put your youth in forwards. As far a pp goes, keep the 1st pp unit with one defenseman in Dupuis and quarterbacked by Drouin, then put Warner on the 2nd unit. I guess it depends too on who else the K's sign...
Posted by: dnl | August 02, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Campbell did not finish last season due to injury. Also, if anyone is interested....Ed and his wife are expecting.
Posted by: Bob | August 02, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Komets need to focus on getting more rookies that will suprise us like surprise us like Curadeau did last year. They get a guy like that and have a solid backup, we'll be set.
Posted by: Andrew | August 02, 2008 at 01:16 AM
I think PH. has the best team on paper=Zehr & co.-but its still early.
Posted by: mightbite | August 02, 2008 at 05:45 AM
We don't need High Stick Eddie Campbell!! We do just fine without him. Plus if he played for us I would not have anyone to pick on :)
Posted by: Rich | August 02, 2008 at 06:11 AM
Eddie Campbell just isn't good........injured or not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILCgxLX5hM8
Posted by: Junior | August 02, 2008 at 10:24 AM
or....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiHYg3swg5M&NR=1
Posted by: lovelost | August 02, 2008 at 11:17 AM
You're correct about Robinson, but it doesn't change my list. Not that I think he's a touch overrated or anything.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 02, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Nice, I didn't know he knocked out by 1 punch!! Congrat's to Eddie.
Cohn, didn't Robinson have a 140 points w/ Musky in the UHL on season??
The K's have a slow team thus far, but, that's not to say they are getting some speed at some point.
Posted by: Junior | August 02, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Rich, I'm sure we can find someone to heckle on!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | August 02, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Yes, but they doled out assists to him like I dole out puffs to my 1-year-old.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 02, 2008 at 03:39 PM
In Robinson's last season in the UHL, 2006-07, he scored 44 goals and was the league MVP.
Posted by: Shutterbug | August 02, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Yep, that guy sucks...LOL.
I'd take him. Where else you gonna find a guy that can score 40+ goals at this level?
Anyone here think the Komets will add a proven goal scorer at this level that has scored close to that before?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 02, 2008 at 07:35 PM
I am sure we would all hail the next guy signed if he had scored 30 goals at this level, right?
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 02, 2008 at 07:36 PM
I didn't say he sucks; but he is hailed as the next Mario Lemieux or something. He's overhyped. Can't imagine that, what with Fic calling all those games.
By the way, the first video there, what a wicked dive.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | August 02, 2008 at 08:02 PM
It's either a dive or a trip, they don't call 'em both anymore......
I heard that his stats were padded. But I also heard that the Fury players had to invade his garage for sticks to use. Regardless, he's a player and any guy that can put up that many points at AA hockey is good to have on your team. Doesn't mean that it translates to W's.
Posted by: Junior | August 02, 2008 at 09:19 PM
What do you mean??? Brent Gretzky's scoring prowess translated into W's didn't it? LOL
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | August 02, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Are you trying to tell me that Muskegon might be known for phantom assists??? I'm sure the 200 points that each of the big name Fury players get every season is legit!! It's just by chance that the Fury put up 5 times the amount of points in their own barn then they do elsewhere....
Sarcasm aside...Robinson is still pretty good...
Posted by: dnl | August 02, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Brandon: Obviously you've never been hit in the head by someone with a staff before.
Say, isn't there a sport that features a bunch of "stupid stick carriers"? Oh yeah. It's called HOCKEY.
Posted by: Wendy | August 03, 2008 at 12:20 AM
I'm sick and tired of no hockey. I spend my weekends watching tv and having a couple drinks. Hockey makes my weekends something special. October can't come quick enough. I need hockey and I need it now!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | August 03, 2008 at 04:25 AM
Football starts-Sept.7th=GO COLTS=1 day before mightbite gets a year older./76 days till Komet hockey.
Posted by: mightbite | August 03, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Jerad - start playing! That way you can have it all year round!
Posted by: Geronimo | August 03, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Just got back in town, did I miss anything?
Posted by: Hoss | August 03, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I'll reserve my comments till Dec. What on paper looks like doesn't mean squat. Need to see what the chemistry looks like. Without it, they aren't worth the paper their names are written on.
Posted by: Karla Stranger | August 03, 2008 at 01:17 PM
I would love to play, but there are a couple problems!
1. Can't skate. I don't mean that I can kinda skate, I mean I really can't stay up on my feet on skates.
2. I have a feeling I would want to fight alot, and I don't feel that there is a place for that at the Mac. I would have to be some teams Ewasko. I think my skating ability would mirror his!! :)
I use to play street hockey in my shoes, but I was bigger then all the kids I played against so I was always in the "penalty box" for aggresive play.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | August 03, 2008 at 01:21 PM
BTW.....today is Aug. 3rd....75 days till home opener.....I assure you, Oct.18th will get here soon enough.
Posted by: Karla Stranger | August 03, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Flint lost Beausoliel....3rd in the league last year in scoring. Signed with Tulsa of the CHL.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=20080731_235_B6_TeCnda87714
Posted by: Karla Stranger | August 03, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I'm a little late with this but... anyone but Campbell on defense! I'd rather have Durdin back, at least he could skate. Even though sometimes I wished he'd stand around like a pylon. Those videos are great, thanks for posting them.
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | August 03, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Tyler Willis to England...Apparently even Bootland's own friends wont play for him.
http://wingsstadium.com/08-03_willisheadstoeurope.htm
Posted by: Brandon | August 03, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Wow the Kwings could not only be awful, but very boring as well.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | August 03, 2008 at 03:45 PM
didn't want to get bossed around by Bootland anymore especially as coach. Bootland was always getting him to calm down during games. haha. They say they are best friends too. what a joke.
Posted by: lovelost | August 03, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Somewhat off-topic, but still IHL...where is the best away venue to visit? Bloomington is probably too far, and Bruce told me his experience with the Port Huron fans was a little disappointing (think Sterling's car VS Hoss), but what about the other places?
Posted by: Cat Eyes | August 03, 2008 at 08:07 PM
$1 = 0.51 British pounds
Therefor a 21,000 British pound salary = $41,481.44
Posted by: Shutterbug | August 03, 2008 at 08:16 PM
K-zoo is close. A nice old style hockey arena. I like the the crowd and arena the best there. Never been to Bloomington.
Posted by: lovelost | August 03, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I've been to every rink in the league, including the UHL days (excluding Elmira & Adirondack) several times. I'll give a quick rundown of my favorites for ya...
1.) Flint - May seem crazy but I love this barn. When you first walk into the rink it's like walking into the old South Town Mall, including the ginormous gumball machine where the gum is probably still the same from the 1970s. Great sightlines, friendly fans who will still talk trash with ya but not take it too far plus can take it as well as they throw it. Low glass around the rink so it's easy to throw trash talk to the players on the ice and you can hear every conversation that is said out there. One really neat feature is the concourse is wide open and you can watch the game while walking around. When you first walk into the arena, you can just smell the history...or maybe that's the mold...meh, either way, still my favorite and yes, I've always felt safe in and around the rink.
2.) Muskegon - Another great small barn. Movie theater style seats, very comphy. Good views, fans can get alittle rowdy at times but it's all good. They'll yell at their own team/coach more than they yell at the visitors if they feel they're mailing it in. Fans are friendly for the most part and knowledgeable.
3.) Kalamazoo - A lot of people would list this rink at number 1 but IMO, it's highly overrated. Good views, friendly fans, and right up the road. Parking is free and concession stand prices are just right. I've made a lot of friends from K-Zoo by sitting in the same place every time. Staff is extremely friendly as well. Fort Wayne always draws well in this barn but sometimes are fans act like idiots and think they own the place or they're amazing fans because they drove an 1:30 to see the game, that can get quite old. Because of the over powering support of K's fans, a fight or 2 in the stands/hallway is common place
4.) Bloomington - Nice stadium..brand new and is basically a mini-coliseum. VERY clean. Has the best scoreboard in the league and very friendly fans who are always welcoming. Sight lines are ok, nothing to write home about. Fans are still learning the game and they aren't afraid to ask questions. Always an enjoyable experience, win or lose.
5.) Port Huron - Fans are great, very friendly. The arena is basically a high school gym and every time I'm there I keep looking at the ends expecting to find basketball hoops hiding away in the ceiling. A downside to this stadium is you feel far away from the action. Fun place to watch a game tho because the rink is small so it's very fast
Just my opinion of the barns around the league...
Posted by: Brandon | August 03, 2008 at 08:53 PM