Degagne leaves Trappers to join Komets

It's only training camp but the North Bay Trappers have already lost a member of their new coaching staff.

Goaltending coach Shawn Degagne, who was introduced by the team last spring during their annual banquet, has elected to return to professional hockey as he signed a contract with the Fort Wayne Komets of the new International Hockey League on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old will be starting his 9th pro season after appearing in 4 games last year with Elmira UHL (2-2-0, 3.25 gaa). The netminder was selected by the New York Rangers in the 6th round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft before making his pro debut with Pensacola ECHL in 2001. Prior to his UHL stint with Elmira last season, the North Bay, Ontario native backstopped Amarillo CHL for 4 seasons from 2002-2006 (173gp, 97-55-12, 2.69 gaa, 10 shutouts).

Last spring Degagne thought he had left the pro game for good. He started his own goaltending school and fishing outfitting business but Trappers officials told BayToday.ca that the money offered by the Komets was just too good for him to pass up.