Mitch Woods to Return to Komets Fold

The Fort Wayne Komets announced Tuesday that right wing Mitch Woods would be rejoining the team in team in January. Woods played with the Komets throughout most of the 2007-2008 season after attending training camps in both the AHL and ECHL. A gritty forward, master agitator and brawler, Woods quickly became a favorite amongst fans, winning the "Mr. Hustle" award at the end of a season which saw the Komets shatter records for most consecutive home wins and most points in a season. He topped it off by playing a crucial role in the team's Turner Cup win that spring. Woods left the Komets the following summer to play for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. He also attended training camp with the AHL's Wilkes Barre-Scranton Penguins, then coached by Dan Bylsma who went on to win the Stanley Cup the following spring as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite his success, Woods was never happy in Cincinnati and left the team to return to Canada after playing in only 12 games. His subsequent suspension prevented him from joining any other teams in 2008-2009. Woods decided to move on with his life and took a job mentoring young people back in his native Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In the summer of 2009, it was announced that he had re-signed with the Komets for what he stated would probably be his last season of professional hockey, but a few days prior to the start of training camp, fans were disappointed to learn that he would not be coming after all. Due to job cuts, Woods was unable to secure the necessary leave of absence from work, and not wanting to risk losing a job he enjoyed, was forced to cancel his return to the Komets. It was suggested at the time, however, that he might be able to make his much anticipated comeback later in the season. Woods had 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points in 73 regular season games and 1 goal and 5 assists for 6 points in 13 playoff games for the Fort Wayne Komets. He had 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in 12 games for the Cincinnati Cyclones. He will be returning to Fort Wayne on January 11 with his first game expected to be roughly 2 weeks later.