Fort Wayne, IN -- The Komets announced Wednesday that left winger Artem Podshendyalov will be returning from last season and will be in the Komet camp when it begins Monday, Oct. 10.
Podshendyalov (pod-SHEN-duh-loff), 21, made his pro debut last season with the Komets posting eight goals and 18 points in 32 games after joining the Komets at the half-way point of the 2010-11 campaign. The Omsk , Russia native was named the Komets' Most Improved Player for the year and added a goal and seven points in eight post-season games. Prior to joining the Komets, Podshendyalov led the 2009-10 Bradford Rattlers of the Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL) in Ontario with 62 goals, 62 assists and 124 points in 42 games. The league's goal-scoring leader was also named the GMHL's Best Forward of the year.
In addition to Podshendyalov, the Komets also added rookies Jean-Michel Rizk and Olivier Hotte.
Rizk (RISK), 25, will be entering his first pro campaign after completing four seasons with Wilfrid Laurier University (CIS) last year under the direction of former Komet head coach Greg Puhalski posting 12 goals and 24 points in 25 games while serving as captain of the Golden Hawks. The New Liskeard, Ontario native led Laurier during 2008-09 with 25 goals and 54 points in 27 games. The right winger finished last season skating seven games with Wheeling in the ECHL. Rizk also experienced three games with Flint in the UHL on the heels of five seasons in the OHL in 2007. Rizk was selected by Minnesota in round seven of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Hotte (Hot), 20, hails from Mirabel , Quebec , and will enter the Komets' training camp after completing three seasons in the QMJHL. The defenseman skated stints with Drummondville (2008-09 and 2009-10) and Acadie Bathurst (2010-11) and accumulated QMJHL totals of 13 goals, 55 assists, 68 points and 182 penalty minutes.
The Komets' preseason roster grows to 25 players with the addition of Podshendyalov, Rizk and Hotte and includes 15 forwards, nine defensemen and one goaltender.
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