Komets general manager David Franke still believes he will have a coach in place by June 1, though he declined to get into specifics about potential candidates – with one exception.The Komets agreed to terms with goaltender Charlie Effinger for the coming season, sources confirmed. But the paperwork still needs to be submitted to the league.
Effinger, 26, skated last season for the Missouri Mavericks and was in net when the Komets defeated that team in the Turner Conference Finals after falling behind 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
The Komets went on to win the CHL championship and then moved to the ECHL, where Effinger hopes he will have a better chance of being elevated to the American Hockey League.
Effinger will be one piece of the goaltending puzzle, as the Komets try to fill the void left by Nick Boucher.
Boucher, who guided the Komets to four championships in five years and was the team’s MVP last season, underwent hip surgery Thursday.
He will be out at least until January.
The Komets are also hoping to get goalie Kenny Reiter, who is the younger brother of former Komets goalie Kevin Reiter. Kenny Reiter has signed to play with Bridgeport of the AHL on a two-way contract, and the Komets would like to get him sent to Fort Wayne if he doesn’t stick with the AHL club, multiple sources said.
Kenny Reiter, 25, led Minnesota-Duluth to the 2011 NCAA championship. He has played one professional game, with Bridgeport last season.
Effinger was 32-15-4 with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage in the regular season with Missouri. He was 7-4 with a 2.50 GAA and a .932 save percentage in the playoffs.
Effinger played 22 games in the ECHL with Gwinnett and Trenton from 2008 and 2009.
Komets’ management hasn’t commented on Effinger, other than to say they have spoken with him.
