Goaltender Pascal Leclaire was not the only Columbus prospect to have his season derailed by an injury last year. Former Harvard standout Tyler Kolarik suffered that same fate, cutting short a very promising rookie campaign with the ECHL’s Dayton Bombers.
Kolarik injured his knee just past the midway point and that limited him to only 49 games with Dayton. Prior to the long layoff Kolarik was one of the few bright spots for a struggling Bomber club, registering 16 goals to go along with 16 assists.
“Things were going well,” stated Kolarik. “I got to spend a little time up here and then unfortunately the knee occurred so I haven’t played a game for a while.”
Kolarik returns to Syracuse with a clean bill of health, looking this time for a more extended stay.
“I know I can compete at this level and this is where I want to be,” said Kolarik. “And I know that the coaching staff and Columbus knows that this is the level that I want to be at.”
Having a year of professional hockey under his belt should help Kolarik’s cause. Not having the burden of learning a new position should help also.
Last season in camp Kolarik found himself playing center instead of his normal spot on the wing. It was a surprise for the rookie and one he quite possibly could have avoided.
“We joked about it at the end of training camp last year,” recalled Kolarik. “Gary asked me if I had ever played center before and I told him no. He said well next time why don’t you say something.”
A few years back when the Crunch were in need of an enforcer they tapped the rough and tumble Quebec Senior Hockey League and brought in Brandon Sugden. Heading into camp this season the Crunch were once again in search of some toughness. That need brought them to Quebec was again. Can lightning strike twice? Jason Payne sure hopes so.
Payne is the resident tough guy in camp this year for the Crunch. He has been here before, in the AHL that is, and he has also followed Sugden before. Payne was the player who filled Sugden’s spot with the Verdun Dragons when he left to join the Crunch back in 2003.
“I know Brandon very well from back home,” stated Payne. “We skate everyday in the summer together and we also played together with the Dayton Bombers. He is a very smart fighter and also a very willing customer.”
Some may wonder if Payne will display that same willingness heading into his tenth season as a bodyguard. When posed that question the veteran pugilist didn’t hesitate when answering.
“I am definitely willing,” deadpanned Payne. “When there is a goal in mind there is always a willingness. Especially at this level when you have that shot to be called up for even one game.”
Another player looking to add some toughness to the Crunch lineup this season is OHL product Kyle Musselman. He racked up 170 penalty minutes in 58 games last season in Sudbury and won’t hesitate to show his wares if the situation presents itself on Sunday.
“That is part of my game to play physical and try to put some numbers up,” claimed Musselman. “If the chance comes obviously I am not going to back down from it.”
Like Syracuse, Binghamton heads into Sunday’s contest minus most of their regulars. They do sport some familiar names like Charlie Stephens and Greg Watson along with tough guys Danny Bois and former Albany River Rat Brett Clouthier.
One interesting sidebar for the game could be the battle between Jeff Glass and Kelly Guard for the back-up goaltending spot behind new number one for the Senators, Billy Thompson. Glass, Ottawa’s third round selection in 2004, was named the ADT Goaltender of the Year in the CHL last year and also backstopped Canada to the gold medal at the World Junior Championships.
Guard led the Kelowna Rockets to the Memorial Cup in 2004 and spent last season playing for Charlotte in the ECHL where he posted a 12-11-2 record in 26 games with the Checkers. Former Clarkson netminder Dustin Traylan is also in camp with the B-Sens.