Senators Article: Newcomers' crash course; Former Minnesota, ND collegians getting playing time with B-Sens
April 10, 2004

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Scott Lauber of Press Connects.com

Newcomers' crash course

Former Minnesota, ND collegians getting playing time with B-Sens

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON Neil Komadoski and Grant Potulny are a few credits short of graduating from college, so they decided to enroll in one final class: Hockey 101.

Within the past week, Komadoski left Notre Dame and Potulny said farewell to the University of Minnesota to launch their pro careers with the Binghamton Senators. Neither knew how much ice time would be dispensed in the midst of a playoff run, but early indications are they have made enough of an impression on coach John Paddock to be lineup regulars.

"I came because I wanted to get a feel for how the team was," said Potulny, who registered an assist on the power play in his pro debut Wednesday night in Wilkes-Barre and played again at home Friday night against Norfolk. "I'm like a wide-eyed little kid. I'm just happy to be out there."

Potulny, a 24-year-old center from Grand Forks, N.D., became the first non-Minnesotan to play for the Golden Gophers since 1986-87 and emerged as a two-year captain. He scored 22 goals as a freshman and won NCAA championships as a sophomore and junior.

"Based on what I've heard and seen, he'll probably find a way into our lineup," Paddock said. "He has to earn it, but I think he's going to be able to help us."

Paddock likes the no-frills style of Komadoski, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound defenseman who made his debut last Friday night in Norfolk. After battling the flu, he returned to the lineup in Wilkes-Barre and remained there Friday night ahead of Christoph Schubert and Jan Platil.

"I thought it was going to be good to come in and see how everyone operated here," Komadoski said. "It's been baptism by fire, getting thrown right into it, but I've felt more and more confident in each game."

Both players still have school work to complete. Komadoski has to write papers for three elective classes, and Potulny has been communicating with his professors via e-mail. Both are hoping to graduate after the season ends.

HONORING EXCELLENCE

AHL vice president Jim Mill was here to present winger Denis Hamel his first team AHL All-Star trophy and winger David Hymovitz with an award for being named the Senators' Man of the Year.

After the game, the Senators handed out their in-house awards. Among the winners were goalie Billy Thompson (Rookie of the Year), defenseman Peter Smrek (plus-minus), Julien Vauclair (best defenseman) and goalie Hamel (MVP).

Senators minority owner Bob Carr was honored with the Hans Petersen Award for his dedication to the local hockey community.