One reason the Fort Wayne Komets dominated the International Hockey League during the regular season last year was because they had better rookies than everyone else.
The Komets hope for a repeat in 2008-09 and announced four rookie signings on Monday, highlighted by Fort Wayne native Brandon Warner. The defenseman retains his rookie status because he played in 59 games last year and not the minimum of 60 required by IHL rules.
“Brandon showed a lot of improvement last season, and I expect him to improve at least that much again this season,” Komets coach Al Sims said.
“He gave me a lot of versatility with his ability to play forward, and I’m very excited about having him back next season.”
Warner, 25, had six goals and 19 points during the regular season and then played a key role during 13 playoff games.
Also added were high-scoring teammates Samuel Bergeron and Jean-Paul Roy Vallieres from Quebec of the Quebec Junior A Hockey League. Bergeron, 21, scored 52 goals and 112 points and Roy-Vallieres, 20, 54 goals and 118 points last season in 52 games each.
“With point totals like that, you know they’ve both got great hands,” Sims said. “The key will be how well they can skate at this level. We’ll put them together in training camp and see.”
The Komets also signed forward Maxime Gravelle, 21, who almost came to Fort Wayne last spring. He was one of the players the Komets considered signing as an amateur in the last quarter of the regular season before deciding to go with a defenseman.
Sims also said the Komets continue to negotiate with goaltender Kevin Reiter and forwards Mathieu Curadeau and Olivier Legault. The Komets hope to get Curadeau a spot in an American Hockey League camp, and Legault has been invited to the Los Angeles Kings’ rookie camp.
The coach also said veteran defenseman Kevin Hansen has signed a two-year contract with Tulsa in the Central Hockey League.
The signings give the Komets 13 players under contract, including eight forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender. There are five rookies and five veterans on the roster.
