Coach Al Sims and captain Colin Chaulk retired, and now so has the goaltender who backstopped them to four championships between 2008 and 2012.Forward Leo Thomas, who spent the last four seasons with the Komets, may join former assistant coach Gary Graham with Pensacola of the Southern Professional Hockey League this season.
Meanwhile, the Komets and goaltender Nick Boucher have yet to come to a determination on when, or if, he will play for Fort Wayne again.
Thomas, 30, had eight goals and 24 points in 54 games last season, then added three goals and nine points in 18 playoff games, as the Komets won the CHL championship. However, he qualifies as a veteran in the ECHL and didn't fit into Fort Wayne's plans for their move to the younger league.
Graham, a native of Fort Wayne, who took the Pensacola job in June after four years with the Komets, confirmed that there have been talks with Thomas, who could be a player/assistant coach and/or captain.
Thomas couldn't be reached for comment.
He had 33 goals and 60 points in 2009-10, but has combined for 26 goals and 51 points in the two years since.
As for Boucher, 31, he and general manager David Franke met Tuesday but no decisions were made regarding his future, they both confirmed.
After winning four championships in five years with the Komets, Boucher is trying to formulate a plan to deal with his injured hips. Boucher could play through the pain, have surgery that would keep him out until December at least, or retire.
He hopes to discuss his options further with doctors this week.
Boucher was the Komets' MVP last season in the CHL. The Komets plan to get at least one other top-tier goalie, depending on Boucher's prognosis, Franke said.
