Cujo takes a look at young Frontenacs goaltender

By Doug Graham/The Whig-Standard Curtis Joseph made his first appearance at a Kingston Frontenacs practice on Tuesday and the most excited person to see him was goalie Blake Richard.

Joseph, known as Cujo in his 19-year National Hockey League goaltending career, was on the ice along with David Franco, also a goalie coach with the Frontenacs.

With Igor Bobkov not due back from the Anaheim Ducks' NHL camp until Thursday, Richard was the lone goaltender at Tuesday's practice.

Craig Wood, who had been named the backup to Bobkov late last week, was going out the K-Rock Centre's door while practice was beginning.

In a re-thought move by the Frontenacs, the 17-year-old Richard was called back after two winning starts for the Thorold Blackhawks junior B club.

Wood remains close at hand, playing for the Kingston Kimco Voyageurs. He started Tuesday's Ontario Junior Hockey League game in Peterborough.

Richard was happy with the twist in his fate. "It's a huge day. I got called (Monday) night to come here. To find out Cujo is here on top of that made my day," Richard said.

"It is really exciting because I know (Joseph and Franco) are going to take me to the next level. I'm up for the challenge."

Joseph said he faces a learning curve in his first year as a coach, but he is excited to get started.

"It is going to be a challenge we know. (Kingston) is going to be a young team, but we are excited about it," Joseph said.

His 17-year-old son Taylor, a right winger, is in the London Knights system. Joseph is pleased about the prospect of working with kids around the age of his oldest son.

"It is good fun to see kids like that," Joseph said. "Man though, (Richard) looks young. He doesn't look too young when he stops the puck, though."

"He looked real smooth out there (Tuesday). He didn't look like he was nervous or anything like that." While both he and Franco live in Toronto, Joseph said they would be getting to Kingston more regularly now that the Ontario Hockey League season is beginning.

They are going to Barrie for Kingston's season opener Thursday. Richard, with Bobkov travelling back from California, will be starting against the Colts. Bobkov was scheduled to play a pre-season game late Tuesday night against the Phoenix Coyotes.

"We'll see (Frontenacs) games around Toronto but we've got to come here also," Joseph said. "We'll make the drive, do it together. It's a road trip." Joseph has yet to meet Bobkov, but said a lot will be expected from the Russian goaltender. "We are going to need him to stand on his head," Joseph said. "If your goalie's good, a lot of good things can happen." General manager Doug Gilmour said Richard was called back after posting two wins in as many starts for Thorold. Gilmour said the opportunity for Wood to play for the Voyageurs, who are short a goaltender with Charlie Finn out with a fractured collar bone, was the deciding factor for making Richard the backup. "We have the situation where we can develop Wood in Kingston, where we can see him," Gilmour said. He credited Thorold general manager Dave Marrone for not holding up Richard's return. "I made the call to Dave and he said yes. He wants what is best for the kids, not necessarily the team," Gilmour said. FRONTS NOTES Defenceman Braydon Blight will miss the Frontenacs' September games. He has received a five-game suspension by the OHL for a head check on Belleville Bulls' Mack Lemmon during a Sept. 10 game in Wellington. Blight is eligible to return Oct. 2 when the Frontenacs play in Mississauga. ... Mitchell Fitzmorris, Kingston's third-round draft pick (46th overall), is going to have his injured right wrist operated on. Gilmour said he will be lost for the season. ... The

Frontenacs are hosting a road hockey game and meet and greet with the players Wednesday night at Springer Market Square from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Kids will have a chance to play hockey with the Frontenacs and get autographs.