Reason for Desfosses leaving brings up questions

12-23-08
Josh Avedisian

I recently emailed Kevin Desfosses to ask him about his sudden departure from the Port Huron Icehawks. Desfosses chose to go to Magill University in his native Quebec, Canada. But it was the reasons that Desfosses left the team in the middle of the season that bring up discussion about the league.

Desfosses, in 9 games posted 6 wins and 3 losses, a 2.20 GAA which ranked first in the league and a .922 Save% which also ranked first in the IHL. Yet Desfosses admits the lack of playing time he was receiving behind starting goaltender Larry Sterling was reasoning for him to leave.

But Desfosses said "but also it is not a good league for 21 years old and there is not enough exposure from nhl team". Desfosses makes a valid point. Unlike last year where we seen rookies such as Josh Aspendlind, Justin Depretis, and of course Justin Hodgman near the end of the year, this year in the IHL we have seen a lack of young talent coming through the league. The top rookie scorer this year is Flint's Kyle Deck who has 24 points and 10 goals and he is a defenseman. That is alarming.

Last year rookie Luciano Aquino ranked 2nd in the league in scoring. Aspendlind and Jamie Carroll were key in the Icehawks run to the Turner Cup finals. Hodgman made a huge impact with the Komets in their Turner Cup victory receiving the MVP.

This year for the Icehawks the leading rookie scorer is Derek Merlini with 12 points. The true rookie Derek Patrosso only has 10 points this year. The Icehawks have not found any consistency with their rookie class this season.

So it brings up a discussion, what exactly is the direction of this league? Coaches seem to want to attract young players by promising them call ups and exposure to higher levels but obviously by Desfosses' comments that is not what most young players believe this league will do. At the same time however the league's slogan last year was "Old school hockey is back" which to me is saying it will be a league of gritty players who are not necessarily prospects anymore. They are players that just did not stick in the higher levels and continue to just play hockey for the love of the game or the check, either one.

So does anyone even know what the direction of the IHL really is? Do the people who operate the IHL even know? Maybe they should pick a direction and go that way and it will help fans who don't know a lot about the IHL find out what they are going to go see. Every fan has his opinion of what good hockey is. Some want to see young players coming up through the system and some want to see good veterans who come out and fight and put up big numbers. The IHL doesn't give enough of either right now but picking a direction would really help this league out.

    Comments:

Josh 12/23/2008
shc, Yes I did have contact with him. I asked him about the reason for him leaving was and asked if it was true it was playing time that made his decision easier and he said "Playing time for sure, but also it is not a good league fo 21 years old and there is not enough exposure from nhl team....

Kevin"

Yes I heard of the money that he was receiving but if this is his thoughts on the league then what about all the other talented 21 year olds out there that are going to think twice before coming to this league.

shc 12/23/2008
what in the world are you talking about? defosses had money coming to him to attend a great college in quebec, but only if he committed to a college within a certain time from his last game in a major junior league. what would you do if you had a chance to get a quality education, while certainly young enough to continue your hockey playing career if you chose to do so? would you throw away $100,000 to get an education on the chance that you might get discovered by an ahl or nhl scout for a CHANCE that you might advance? or would you get your education, knowing that, if you stay the full four years, you will still be only 25 years old, still have a chance at a pro career, and if that doesn't pan out, you have a degree from a prestigious university? did you inquire about the timetable from the end of his eligibility to get the money? did you know about the money? did you really get an e-mail from this person? this truly sounds like a hack job from someone who wants to stir up trouble. i very much doubt you ever had actual contact with defosses. he seems like a decent enough kid, and stan is a decent enough coach to tell him the chances of making it to the next level. stan is a guy who has connections throughout hockey. if this kid was truly only interested in making it to the next level in hockey and not in his education, i know stan would be able to help him in that endeavor. quit with the yellow journalism. unless you have truly made contact with a person, don't print it as fact. it is a smear on journalism in general. just because this is a small time web site, try to have big time integrity. it will serve you and the area well.

12/23/2008


12/23/2008


Trina 12/23/2008
Good thoughtline. I hope someone thinks about this in the league.

ian tester 12/23/2008
some testing

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