General manager David Franke said the Komets “are trying to set a tone” with their first two player signings for next season, forward Matt Firman and defenseman Mathieu Gagnon.FORT WAYNE – A source within the Komets told The Journal Gazette that the team has reached contract agreements with forwards Chris Auger, Jean-Michel Rizk and Stephon Thorne, as well as defenseman Brent Henley.
General manager David Franke said nothing has been finalized with these players, “But we are talking with all of those guys.”
All four played with the Komets last season.
Auger had 28 goals and 59 points in 57 games. Rizk had 21 goals and 31 points in 55 games. Thorne had 11 goals and 32 points in 64 games. Henley had three goals, 14 points and team-leading 201 penalty minutes in 60 games.
The four players combined for 19 goals and 45 points in 18 playoff games as the Komets won the CHL title last season. The Komets will play in the ECHL this season.
Franke also wouldn’t comment on the status of goaltender Charlie Effinger, who played last season for Missouri. On Sunday, The Journal Gazette was told by multiple sources that the Komets had come to terms with Effinger to replace Nick Boucher.
Boucher is recovering from hip surgery.
Talks with forward Thomas Beauregard, who played for Wichita and faced the Komets in the finals last season, have cooled off, Franke said.
If the Komets sign Henley, he would fill the last of four veteran spots (goalies exempt). The other veterans are centers Colin Chaulk and Brett Smith and defenseman Tyler Butler. The Komets have also signed right wing Brandon Marino, the CHL MVP with Quad City last season, center Eric Giosa, rookie defenseman Kyle Atkins, defenseman Daniel Maggio and forward Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock.
