COMETS' 2021 ROOKIE CLASS SHINES

(Independence, MO.) - When discussing top rookie classes in sports, the discussion usually involves all teams in a league. Rarely does one specific team get a set of newcomers who have such a dramatic impact on a roster the way the rookies of the 2021 Kansas City Comets have done.

Fans at Cable Dahmer Arena are notified by public address announcer Nate Herron that the goal scored by Rian Marques was his 11^th of the season. Tied for the team lead, 11^th of the season. Top five in the league 11^th of the season. In the same list as MASL stars Ian Bennet, Franck Tayou, Felipe De Sousa, 11^th of the season. Marques is one of six rookies making an immediate impact on the Kansas City roster.

It’s been an exciting time in Independence Missouri for fans as they see the infusion of youth to a Comets team led by one of the all-time greats of the indoor game, Leo Gibson. Team owner Brian Budzinski acknowledged the efforts of Gibson and the Comets’ staff in bringing Marques, along with Lucas Sousa, Henry Ramirez, Felipe Abreu, Ze Ramos, and Kyle McLagan to the Kansas City Comets. “Coach Leo and our staff has done a tremendous job in identification and recruitment of this year’s rookie class. They bring energy, excitement, and selflessness everyday and the fans get to see that on display at Cable Dahmer Arena” Budzinski said.

The Comets, who started the season 1-4, have won four straight and the work that began on day one of pre-season practice is beginning to pay off on the scoreboard. Sousa, who scored five points (3G-2A) in the team’s sweep of the Central Cup and has 10 points (5G-5A) during the regular season said “From the very first day of practice the environment as been amazing. We truly work for each other and in the end of the day, winning is everyone’s goal, (and it) doesn’t matter who scores.”

Working for each other has been a key to the team’s recent success. Looking at the most recent 13-4 win over Dallas, nobody on the Kansas City roster netted a hat-trick. What did happen though, is nine different players notched at least one goal. The Comets now field a team in which any player, at any time, can score. The problem opponents face is it is not just the rookies they have to contend with. The KC roster is stacked with top level veterans in Gibson, John Sosa, Kevin Ellis, Ray Lee, and Ramone Palmer to name a few.

Those veterans and assistant coach Stefan Stokic have brought the rookies along quickly. Marques said this about the success the team has found, “I think it’s a mix of talent, hard work, and the help from our older teammates and the coaching staff. Guys like John Sosa, Kevin Ellis, and Ramone Palmer have made us fee like part of the team since the beginning. For me personally, Leo and Stefan have been helping me out a lot by watching film and giving me tips on where I can improve my game.”

Ramos also chimed in about the chemistry on the team in general by saying “I think the guys have a good chemistry off the field also, so that helps the team in general. We have a lot of amazing players which makes it easier for everybody to play and succeed.”

From everything Gibson has seen so far this season the future of the Kansas City Comets looks good. “It has been fun and a relief watching our young guys play with so much confidence and executing in their respective positions. We will continue to do everything we can to use their individual strength to the fullest so each of them can be successful and help them improve on their quickness. This organization future looks bright because of these guys” he said.

What has being a part of this organization meant for Abreu? “For me, it has been an incredible experience. I’ve heard a lot about the Comets and how impactful the club has always been in the KC area. Becoming a part of that incredible and historic organization has been an unbelievable experience” said Abreu.

Successful veterans, a talented, inspired rookie class, great coaching, and incredible fan base? As Gibson said, things are looking bright for the Kansas City Comets and their supporters indeed.