Komets goaltender Nick Boucher had successful surgery on his hip Thursday, he confirmed via text message, and he could resume playing as early as January.

"The surgery was a success," Boucher wrote. "No question it was needed."

Boucher, who was the Komets' MVP last season, when they won the CHL title, has cam impingement in both hips. That's abormal grinding.

One side was operated on Thursday, and they will decide at a later date if surgery on the other hip is necessary, though it will likely happen.

"The surgery was a success," Boucher wrote. "It was overdue, really. Another season without it would have been bad."

However, the damage discovered Thursday was more extensive than previously hoped; there was micro-fracture surgery that the 31-year-old Boucher had hoped wouldn't be necessary.

"Probably because I played so long through this, some of my cartilage was destroyed or gone," Boucher wrote. "So they drill little microscopic holes in the joint and it actually results in new cartilage growing. The recovery is 4-to-8 weeks longer because of this."

Last season, Boucher, 31, had a record of 32-12-4 with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.

He has helped the Komets win four championships in his five seasons with the team. He is not under contract yet for this season - the team is looking at bringing in at least two other goalies for their first ECHL season - though Boucher will remain as an assistant coach as he recuperates.

It's possible Boucher will not recover in time to play this season for the Komets or another team, or that he'll be unable to resume his playing career, depending on his recovery.

• Kenny Reiter, the brother of former Komets goalie Kevin Reiter (and the goalie I think the Komets must get) will sign with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. Does this mean he can't end up in Fort Wayne? Nope. He will have a two-way deal and Bridgeport doesn't have an ECHL affiliate. So, you can be sure that not only are the Komets pursuing him, Kevin Reiter is getting calls from his former teammates to help make it happen. This just makes too much sense.
• Meanwhile, I wonder if the Komets could be talking with Dayton of the Federal Hockey League about an affiliation. Click here. Geographically, it would make sense. Talent wise? I don't know.