NEXT GENERATION OF PREVOST JOINS THE UTICA JR. COMETS

Half a century after a Comets player with the last name Prevost was scoring goals at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, the name returns to the back of a Jr. Comets jersey. Legendary Clinton Comet Pierre Prevost’s grandson finally hit the ice in Utica with the 2008 Utica Jr. Comets at training camp this week.

Pierre won two Eastern Hockey League Championships with the Clinton Comets in 1968 and 1970. His son JP grew up playing hockey in Central New York, and now the third generation Prevost, Cole, has joined the youth hockey program.

“Cole has been coming to games the last five years and has heard all kinds of Clinton Comets stories,” said Pierre as he watched practice Thursday, “He’s met my teammates and I know they’ve told him about the old days in this building.”

“I know my grandpa played a long time ago and they have one of the best records,” Cole said standing next to his grandfather’s statue in front of the building, “He’s taught me what to do without the puck and where I should be on the ice.”

“Growing up I didn’t really realize what was going on,” said Cole’s Father JP, “I just played and he was my dad. Now that I’m a dad and see my son playing and my dad helping him along the way, it’s just amazing.”

Cole could look up and see them watching, “It’s pretty cool to see them sitting and watching practice together. It means a lot because they’ve been the ones helping me my whole hockey career.”

The 2008 Jr. Comets are coached by Kris Smith, Nate VanWie and JP. They wrapped up training camp Thursday afternoon and look forward to the regular season on the horizon.

Pierre broke down the team from his eyes, “This year the ‘08 Jr. Comets are going to have a group of great coaches and they are going to be really successful. Some young coaches who have played the game really well and are going to help the team out.”

“Now he gets to be around family and tradition in Utica” JP continued, “A lot of the guys I played with are still around here and it’s the perfect place for Cole to be."

Before the season begins, the word “Prevost” will be stitched onto the back of a Comets jersey once again.