ECHL: History of the Fort Wayne Komets

The Fort Wayne Komets began in 1952 under the International Hockey League (IHL), where they remained until 1990. At that time, the franchise would move to Albany, New York, as the Albany Choppers. A few days later, the Franke family, who purchased the Flint Spirits, moved the team to Fort Wayne and took on the name the Fort Wayne Komets that same year.

Their journey would continue in 1999 when they first jumped leagues and joined the United Hockey League (UHL) after nine years in the IHL. The UHL would later decide, prior to the start of the season in 2007, to change the league name to the International Hockey League (IHL). Three years later, the team joined the Central Hockey League (CHL) but left the league for the ECHL in the Fall of 2012, where they now remain.

Currently the affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and the Bakersfield Condors (AHL), they had previous affiliations with the Colorado Avalanche (NHL) and the San Antonia Rampage (AHL) but ended that affiliation in 2016. After a one-year deal signed in 2017 with the Arizona Coyotes (NHL) and the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), they struck an agreement with the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) and the Chicago Wolves (AHL), which ended with the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season. In July 2022, they began their current affiliation with Edmonton and Bakersfield.

An alumnus of the Fort Wayne Komets, Alex Belzile, has since gone on to play for the NHL. In 2015, Belzile was traded to Fort Wayne Komets. He signed a contract with the Komets’ AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. He would split the 2015–16 season between both clubs, finishing with 31 points in 29 games for the Komets. He earned ten points in 25 games for the Rampage. In 2019, he would sign his first National Hockey League (NHL) contract, agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens, playing under their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. Belzile would get called up to the Canadiens frequently and earned his first NHL goal in February of 2023, helping the Canadians win (6-2) against the Edmonton Oilers. After five seasons within the Canadiens organization, Belzile left as a free agent to sign a two-year, $1.55 million contract with the New York Rangers this past July.

The Fort Wayne Komets have made several playoff appearances during their team’s history. They have won seven Turner Cups (IHL) in total, earning themselves a “three-peat” after winning the Turner Cup in 2008, 2009 and 2010. They would also win the Ray Miron President’s Cup in 2012 while playing for the CHL. Since they joined the ECHL, the Fort Wayne Komets made one appearance in the Kelly Cup Finals, where they successfully beat the South Carolina Stingrays in four games (3-1) in 2021.