Seasoned D-man Kwiet Added to Komet Blue Line
July 30, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release
Fort Wayne, IN - The Komets announced Tuesday that defenseman Rob Kwiet and rookie forward Kevin Walrod have agreed to terms and have been added to the Fort Wayne preseason roster.
Kwiet (quit), 24, will be joining the Komets for his fifth pro season since turning pro when he appeared in seven regular season games and four playoff games with the Muskegon Fury in the IHL during 2007-08.
Kwiet skated four years of juniors in the OHL and helped the Windsor Spitfires to the OHL 2008-09 regular season championship scoring a team high +54 in 2008-09 before scoring five goals and 15 points in 20 playoff games en route to the 2009 OHL Robertson Cup Championship. Since completing his junior play the Toronto native has skated a total of 42 AHL games (1g, 28pim) and 197 ECHL tilts (23g, 78a, 101pts, 170pim) over a span of four seasons.
"Rob was a priority for me in the free agency period," Komet head coach Gary Graham said. "He has proven he can be a solid contributor offensively from the blueline since his junior days. He will quarterback the powerplay and be put in a great spot to be successful with us. I know Rob is excited about coming to Fort Wayne and we are looking forward to seeing him in black and orange this upcoming season."
Kwiet posted a career best eight goals, 22 assists and ranked second in scoring by Reading defensemen with 30 points while serving on the Royals' blue line 56 games during 2010-11. Last season he led San Francisco Bulls defensemen with 19 assists and 27 points in 50 games and ranked fifth among ECHL defensemen with his total of 37 points in stints with the Bulls and Greenville.
Walrod, 24, completed four seasons with Michigan State last year. The forward ranked fourth in the Spartans lineup with 11 assists and fifth with 15 points in 34 games last season for a college career best year. Also, Walrod made his pro debut with Bakersfield in the ECHL appearing in four games.
"Kevin is a great skating two way player," Graham said. "He knows how to get to the net and cause chaos on the forecheck. He plays a solid north-south game and comes from a solid collegiate program. We are happy he chose us for his first full season of professional hockey."
The Komets' 2013-14 roster grows to 18 players with the addition of Hughes. The lineup currently includes 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
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