Wolverine Update: Ward, Halko, Knuble, Oliver

[Hobart Higgins]

Komo still looking for his first point after 10 games, but he did have his first fight and handled himself very well against Andre Roy, who is pretty much a full time goon. Komo actually got the jump on Roy, but there weren't many punchs thrown, then Mike threw him to the ice. Can't accuse him of picking his spots. He tried to get Tie Domi to go when they played the Leafs awhile back but Domi brushed him off.

[RowdyWolverine]

More of a bump post than something new, but for the record:

Rangers Sign Forward Jed Ortmeyer
5/22/2003
http://www.newyorkrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=899

[RowdyWolverine]

Madden: No pain, no gain
http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/madden072403.html

[RowdyWolverine]

FORMER WOLVERINE JOHN SHOUNEYIA SIGNS WITH FLORIDA EVERBLADES
http://www.ccha.com/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=423

[Hobart Higgins]

Mike was chosen as The Hockey News minor league prospect of the year. He was up against some pretty talented players including offensive phenom Jason Spezza for the honor. All in all this season, Komo got into 100 regular season and playoff pro games. For those who were concerned that he jumped early, his first year as a pro certainly wasn't a disappointment, plus he played the equivalent of more than the 2 years of college hockey combined. Look for him to compete for the Calder Trophy in the NHL this year. Last season, he was named to the AHL All Rookie Team and was a starter in the AHL All Star Game.

Will be the best Wolverine alumni ever, before he is done.

[jen]

Scott Matzka moved from AC in the ECHL to ETC Crimmitschau in Germany.

[Glennww3]

What type of league is this

[jen]

Glenn: I have no idea.

Mark Kosick signed with Wheeling ECHL.

[RowdyWolverine]

FORMER WOLVERINE MIKE ROEMENSKY SIGNS WITH ECHL’S COLUMBIA INFERNO
http://www.ccha.com/release.asp?RELEASE_ID=427

[Lord Sidious]

Originally posted by Hobart Higgins
Will be the best Wolverine alumni ever, before he is done.

I'd place my bets on Marty Turco, who has actually PROVEN something at the NHL level.

[Hobart Higgins]

No criticism of Turco, who has put up amazing numbers in his first 3 NHL seasons, but he didn't play his first NHL game until he was 25, and didn't become the number 1 goaltender until this past season at the age of 27. Komo broke into the NHL at 20 (somewhere around his 21st birthday) and has been a regular since. He has a full 7 years to match Marty's accomplishments.

Again, not to diminish Turco's accomplishments, but what would his numbers have looked like if he spent the past 3 seasons playing for the Montreal Canadiens instead of the Dallas Stars? Would he have been league MVP a year ago as Jose Theodore ( who is over a year younger), was? Perhaps, but I wouldn't put money on it.

Has Komo "arrived" in Montreal and the NHL? At a recent on line Canadien's game worn player sweater auction his #8 received the second highest bid, just behind the team's local superstar and recent MVP winner, Theodore. It says a lot. Unless it was his Mom and Dad bidding against each other or something. ;)

Hockey News Minor Pro Player of the Year. Did I mention that before? Effectively, to the august observers at THN, Mike was the best player outside the NHL a year ago. For a 20 year old who has only played the game for 10 years and was in his first year as a professional that is a HUGE accomplishment. Unless his Mom and Dad bought the Hockey News or something. ;) ;)

[Hobart Higgins]

For the benefit of my arch enemy MaizeRage.

Re: my speaking of Komisarek as a player who could fit a "David Beckham" or "Steve Nash" niche in the game. Komo led a local poll conducted by a Montreal radio station awhile back to determine the "hottest" Montreal Canadian.

Beat out Theodore who is conspicuously single and social and a home town boy. This despite the fact that Komo is very low key and has a solid longterm live in relationship wityh his college sweetheart by all accounts.

Sound familiar?

[RowdyWolverine]

Jillson likes his prospects
He'll vie for spot on Bruins blue line
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2003/08/24/jillson_likes_his_prospects/

[Lord Sidious]

Originally posted by Hobart Higgins
No criticism of Turco, who has put up amazing numbers in his first 3 NHL seasons, but he didn't play his first NHL game until he was 25, and didn't become the number 1 goaltender until this past season at the age of 27. Komo broke into the NHL at 20 (somewhere around his 21st birthday) and has been a regular since. He has a full 7 years to match Marty's accomplishments.

Again, not to diminish Turco's accomplishments, but what would his numbers have looked like if he spent the past 3 seasons playing for the Montreal Canadiens instead of the Dallas Stars? Would he have been league MVP a year ago as Jose Theodore ( who is over a year younger), was? Perhaps, but I wouldn't put money on it.

Hobart, I know you're in love with Komisarek, and I agree he's a great prospect, but that's all he is right now. Turco did something last season that hadn't been done since World War II , think about that for a moment, it's astounding. So what if he was older? Dallas had no need to rush him to the NHL.

Not really sure what you're trying to say with the Theodore comparison. But to deny Turco made a difference with the Stars is ignoring facts, the Stars became very average when he was injured and Tugnutt was the temporary #1:

Turco: 31-10-10, 1.72, .932
Tugnutt: 15-10-5, 2.47, .896

This with the exact same team in front of them. Turco is a proven clutch player and I would not be surprised to see him win at least 1 Stanley Cup before his career is over. But let's be happy both Turco and Komo are both Wolverines who are enjoying some NHL success.

[Hobart Higgins]

I still maintain that in terms of his ultimate development as a hockey player, Komo is the equivalent of an 18 year old at the moment. Jay Boumeester, who is a year and a half younger than Mike has 6 more years of hockey experience. In terms of games played and level of competition, I think it's safe to say than Boumeester (along with most of the other top young prospects), have twice as much competetive experience at this point in their career as Komisarek.

If some 250 pound 18 year old stepped into the AHL and became an All Star by mid season, as well as winning Minor League POTY in the eyes of some experts, the pundits wouldn't be able to find the words to describe his potential. Turco was a mid round draft pick playing college hockey when he was the same age.

But I do agree that Marty has accomplished some eye popping things in his short time in the NHL. Once he qualifies, he will be the all time career leader in the NHL in both Goals Against Average and Save Percentage. Whoda thunk it?

[Hobart Higgins]

Good article at www.canadiens.com where they say that Komisarek is already a big part of the Habs marketing campaign even though he still qualifies as arookie this season.

I said awhile back that Komo would have a profile along the lines of David Beckham or Steve Nash some day, and the fans and management in Montreal already seem to be picking up on that aspect. Jose Theodore has lost a lot of his lustre over the past year, and there is a big vacuum waiting to be filled with the media and fans in Montreal. Mike is a natural to fill that role.

[miker]

Just what HH asked for (http://www.nhl.com/fancentral/qa/komisarek_answers.html)

[RowdyWolverine]

Comrie as good as gone
September 26, 2003
http://www.canoe.ca/Slam030926/col_brownlee-sun.html

This speculative column is a week old. Anybody heard anything since?

[RowdyWolverine]

Coming back to say bye?
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam031006/nhl_edm-sun.html

[RowdyWolverine]

Wild assign Muckalt to AHL affiliate
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?id=1631064