Their lineage stretches back nearly 100 years. Throughout that time, the Comets have carried different names, played in different leagues, and called different arenas home.
As the 2026-2027 Comets season begins, enjoy a look back at the team five decades ago through the eyes of three Clinton Comets who still hold the record for winning three consecutive EHL Championships.
The Comets remain a point of pride for the Mohawk Valley—as well they should. Both the resilience and determination of this franchise, as well as its MSG-inspired arena, are a huge win for the Mohawk Valley.
Pierre Prevost
Today, Pierre Prevost has a slightly different perspective on his days as a Clinton Comet. During his career, he thought nothing of the roughness of the sport, but now, as he approaches 80, he describes it as a tough era to play.
“No helmets. There were 13 skaters and one goalie. You played an average of 40 minutes a game, four times a week, traveling on a diesel-fueled bus with no bathroom.
There were lots of stick fights, spearing, brawls, bench-clearing—there were rules, but no suspensions. When there were injuries or fights, you played down a man.”
It was considered great entertainment for the packed stands. Spectators sat in individual chairs, which were sometimes thrown on the ice by overzealous fans. Only wooden boards surrounded the perimeter of the rink—there was no glass shield to prevent chair-throwing or protect a spectator from stray pucks. Pierre also recalls people smoking inside the arena: “A cloud of smoke hung over the ice, and it was kind of difficult to play through that.”
Originally from Cornwall, Ontario, Pierre loved landing in Clinton. He embraced the community he became a part of and never left. “I stayed in this area because I love this area. It’s beautiful here, and I love the winters.”
Dave Armstrong
When Dave thinks back to his Comets days, he reminisces about the camaraderie: “Everyone got along really well, and we had great players—that’s why we won three championships. To this day, we still get together locally, and we stay in touch with the out-of-town guys.”
After Dave retired from hockey, he bought and ran the B&F Milk Center in Whitesboro. A local boy on a bike used to come in to chat with “Mr. Armstrong,” a legendary hockey player that the boy revered. Dave remembers him as a driven kid who knew what he wanted. Dave told a young Rob Esche, “It’s a tough sport to get into, but if you work hard and pay attention, good things will happen.”
Given what Rob Esche has contributed to our area, one piece of advice that Dave shared felt particularly poignant: “Robert, just remember where you came from—and I think that stuck with him.” It certainly seems so.
Borden Smith
Borden looks back on his eight years as a Clinton Comet as an exciting, intense time—playing to a sold-out arena every Saturday night.
He recalls returning from New Haven after a rough playoff game, where a few players had to go to the hospital. When the team arrived back in Clinton at 6:30 a.m., a line of fans stretched all the way from the Clinton Arena to the Clinton Post Office, waiting to buy tickets for the final playoff game. “I don’t know if people realize the quality of hockey and the caliber of the players that were here at that time,” Smith said.
Borden Smith also had the unique experience of being great and recognizing greatness. After retiring from professional hockey, he became the head coach of the Whitesboro High School hockey team. He remembers having only 20 roster spots with 60 kids trying out. That year, an eighth grader outshined all the others, with both his ability and his work ethic. Borden knew right away he was going places.
That eighth grader’s name was Rob Esche.
