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LEARNING ON THE FLY: KULBAKOV'S ROAD TO UTICA Jan 22, 2019 Ivan Kulbakov didn’t exactly grow up in a hockey hot bed. He hails from Belarus, and his home country has produced just 12 NHL players. There are currently only three players in the AHL who hail from the country of 9.5 million people. For the 22-year-old Comets goalie, his goal is simple: to play hockey and to do so at the highest level. Getting to this point in his career has required constantly stepping out of his comfort zone and undertaking a wealth of new experiences. He came to North America for the first time at the age of 19 when he appeared in one season with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. It was his first exposure to American culture… and the English language. Kulbakov had grown up speaking Russian, and only Russian, his entire life. “I go for billet family, and (I know) just nothing,” Kulbakov said, smiling. “One word. ‘Hello…. and thank you.’” It didn’t take him too long to catch on, as Kulbakov can understand the language quite well just two years later. He does, however, sometimes struggle converting his thoughts to speech. “I understand when fans talk and when coach talk(s) and what guys say in locker room. For me it’s sometimes hard to speak.” Like a lot of people who learn English, he occasionally uses television to learn. It might only help with his hockey terminology though, as he is a junkie for the game and can’t get enough of it. “I watch (television),” he said. “The NHL show.” Though his life is consumed by hockey, he grew up active and playing plenty of sports. It’s cold in Belarus, with a climate very similar to Utica, but the summer time lent itself to Kulbakov enjoying some other hobbies. “I played soccer in the summer for fun. I love soccer,” Kulbakov said. “I play anything (during) summer. Big tennis, small tennis, I like anything.” When realizing the confusion over “small tennis,” he quickly followed up with a chuckle: “Ping pong, ping pong. Sorry, sorry, sorry.” Kulbakov has enjoyed being thrust into the spotlight in Utica, earning loads of playing time after injuries and call-ups have turned him into the team’s starting netminder. There is one thing that stands out over all others when it comes to what he enjoys in Utica. “My bed,” he said, laughing uncontrollably. “It’s a joke, I’m not serious,” he added. “Utica really is good. I like the fans. Probably best fans in AHL. Very good atmosphere for every game. At home, oh my god, it’s the best atmosphere. For players, for team, for everybody. Good time.” Even though he is enjoying the ride, he remains thousands of miles from home. He is young and still figuring out the processes of the pro game, and sometimes that leads to a bit of homesickness. However, there is one thing that continues to push him, and that’s the true, genuine, unadulterated love for his line of work. “Every day I speak to my family. Dad, mom, and my girlfriend. Sometimes I miss home, but this is my job. I love my job. I’m happy to play hockey. It’s my life.”

By Ben Birnell Thursday Posted at 12:53 AM The Utica Comets just got some help on defense. In an unexpected late-night trade, the parent Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Luke Schenn from Anaheim for Michael Del Zotto and a 2020 seventh round draft pick. Schenn will report directly to the Comets, the Canucks said in a release. The trade was announced just before 1 a.m. Thursday Eastern Time. In the 29-year-old Shenn -- who has more than 700 games of NHL experience -- the Comets get a boost with an experienced player on the blue line which has been hit hard by injuries this season. Jalen Chatfield and Ashton Sautner are working their way back from extended injury absences. Olli Juolevi is out for the season after knee surgery. Schenn has spent most of the season with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, totaling 10 points in 22 games. The former fifth overall pick has played for NHL teams in Toronto, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Arizona. Schenn is making $800,000 this season. The Comets -- who are 6-1-1-0 in the last eight games -- technically moved into first place in the North Division following a 5-4 win over Syracuse on Wednesday. The Comets have five games in hand on Rochester, who are also in the top spot in the division. The move involving Schenn means the Canucks won’t have to assign any players to Utica to get to a 23-man roster after Elias Pettersson returns from a a recent injury. The Comets have a pair of defensemen on professional tryout contracts in internet sensation Colton Saucerman and Cliff Watson. The move also gives the Comets an abundance of players who are considered veterans under AHL rules. Schenn joins defenseman Jaime Sifers and forwards Carter Bancks, Wacey Hamilton, Tom Pyatt and Reid Boucher. Teams are allowed to play five veterans in a game. Utica continues a five-game homestand Friday against Binghamton. Utica also takes on Belleville on Saturday.

By Ben Birnell Sunday Posted at 5:15 PM Share Adam Gaudette is back with the Utica Comets – again. The rookie forward was assigned to the Comets from the parent Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, less than a week after he had been summoned by the NHL team. The move was made to make room on the Canucks roster for Josh Leivo, who had missed time recently with an injury. Gaudette didn’t require waivers in order to be assigned to Utica, thus making the move easier for Vancouver. It will be the third stint of the season with the Comets for the 22-year-old Gaudette, who has shown well in his short with the team. Gaudette has shown impressive skill and smarts – and gained some praise from coach Trent Cull — in seven games with the Comets. He’s totaled four goals – including two Jan. 5 during a career-best three-point effort in a win over Cleveland – and has seven points. Gaudette will help provide another center option for the Comets, who have needed some help at the position this season. In recent games with the Comets, Gaudette centered a line with fellow rookie Jonathan Dahlen and veteran Tom Pyatt. He’ll likely been in the lineup this week when the Comets continue a season-long five-game homestand. The Comets get visits from Syracuse (Wednesday), Binghamton (Friday) and Belleville (Saturday) as they look to continue a recent surge in the North Division standings. The Comets (21-17-3-1, 46 points) are in the mathematical second half of their schedule, having played an AHL-most 41 games. The Comets are 5-1-1-0 in the last seven games following a 3-2 win over Syracuse on Saturday in Utica. The Comets are one point ahed of the Crunch in the division.

HAMILTON WENT FROM HERO TO GOAT FOR COSTING US THE 4 MINUTE PENALTY THAT LED TO THE TIEING GOAL LATE IN THE 3RD.

Kubalkov show tonight. Number 1 star! He was pumped after this win. Gave the crown an extra ovation after the game and then again after they called him out for the 1st start. The fans love the kid. Overall a great team win again. Repeat with the Scrunch this Wednesday. Comets move up to #2 in the division although they have played six more games than the Scrunch.

By Ben Birnell Tuesday Posted Jan 8, 2019 at 7:53 PM Updated Jan 8, 2019 at 9:37 PM It has been an interesting first half of the season for the Utica Comets. There have been ups and downs for the American Hockey League team while navigating through a myriad of injuries – the team has lost nearly 200 man-games due to various ailments – as well as roster changes (Adam Gaudette was recalled Tuesday after three games) and uneven play. There are positives for Utica, which reached the midpoint of its schedule last weekend in Cleveland. General Manager Ryan Johnson said the team has “done a good job” managing the challenges, including the introduction of numerous rookies. The team has hit a stride since a brief tumble to the bottom of the North Division standings. With help from a recent 13-6-1-0 stretch, Utica has climbed into third place in the North. January 9, 2019 “I feel like as a group, regardless of what we’ve faced, we managed to stay competitive. We’ve managed to keep our group in things,” Johnson said Monday. “We’ve managed to develop (players).” Is there a key to this recent turnaround? Is resilient the right word? Johnson: That’s the word I use to our group all the time. ... When we have the opportunity to fold and have the excuse and we could move on ... we don’t let that creep into it. We use them as opportunities to find solutions and challenge ourselves individually and as a team. I think that is the makeup of the culture and the group we’ve tried to build. … The Comets’ goaltending situation is in flux due to recent moves. Is there a plan to add another goaltender on an NHL deal? Johnson: Obviously, we’re up against it a bit due to the situation on how everything worked out. It is certainly something being worked on. Zack MacEwen has been doing well in his second season. Are you pleased with his production and the strides he’s made? Johnson: I’m happy with the production. I’m even more happy with the way that he’s doing it. ... His puck management is excellent, which is allowing him to have more time where he is hard to hold off. ... I love the professionalism and the way his game is coming together. He’s a great example for our other young guys that are maybe just a year behind him to look at and go ‘OK, that’s what I need to do if I’m going to get to that next step of pushing to get an opportunity to go up and play,’ which is what Zack is doing. ... How do you feel about the progress of prospects like Jonah Gadjovich? Trent Cull has said he’s still learning the pace of the game. Johnson: He’s improved. In his last game, he was playing with (Carter) Bancks and (Wacey) Hamilton because they ignite players. They force you to be more aggressive. They force you to play your heart out or you look bad. Jonah is ... still learning the sandpaper side of his game and that he has to be physical. He has to be a presence and that will allow the skill side to come out. It is not uncommon for a lot of young players. They have to learn to play in the hard areas because if you don’t have that, you have no foundation. Travis Green or Jim Benning don’t call asking about who has the most goals, it is who is playing the right way. Again, that’s a natural learning process for a kid. … Kole Lind played with Cam Darcy and Vincent Arseneau last weekend. Did it seem to force him to play a harder game? Johnson: That’s one of the things we’ve been harping on Kole. He’s got a great skill set and he does really good things with the puck. But, how do we get the puck into your hands as much as possible? ... We need (him) to be physical. We need (him) to be first in on the forecheck and turning over pucks. The amount of time Kole had to make plays last weekend was a lot, which we were ecstatic about. But, it was because he was initiating. ... Where he was in September to where he is now, is a great first step in the development process. How do you feel about the progress with Jonathan Dahlen and Lukas Jasek? Johnson: It is the same type of thing. It is the compete, it is playing the total game. Those are guys we want to have the puck as much as possible. ... It is the details of the three zones and making sure they’re taking care of the puck in all areas and being part of the forechecking, competing and giving yourself a chance to have the puck and make plays. As a group all those guys have improved on it and getting better and we hope that continues. Post-Christmas, it seems to settle in and they take a big step. Note: The Comets also added defenseman Cliff Watson on a professional tryout contract Tuesday. Read more at uticaod.com.