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ECHL Expansion Membership approved for Fort Wayne - Junior Hockey News
Published: Friday, 18 May 2012
By: ECHL Media
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ECHL's 25th Anniversary season will have 23 teams
PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL announced that the Board of Governors has approved the Expansion Membership application of the Fort Wayne Komets for admission to the ECHL. The addition of the Komets and Evansville IceMen will expand the League to 23 teams for the 25th Anniversary season in 2012-13.
Fort Wayne celebrated its 60th season of professional hockey in 2011-12, and led the Central Hockey League with 7,770 fans per game, marking the 10th consecutive season that the Komets have surpassed 7,000 fans in average attendance. The Komets captured the Presidents' Cup as Central Hockey League champions in 2011-12, marking the ninth league title in team history. In addition to the CHL championship, Fort Wayne has won seven International Hockey League titles and one United Hockey League championship.
"The ECHL is pleased to welcome the Fort Wayne Komets to the League as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary in the 2012-13 season," said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. "Having just celebrated the 60th season of professional hockey in Fort Wayne, the Komets bring a history and tradition that is well known in hockey circles. With their strong fan support and history of success, the Komets will be a strong addition to our Midwest geography."
"The entire Komet organization is looking forward to facing off our first ECHL season this October," said Komets President Michael Franke. "Having such great nearby regional rivals like Evansville, Toledo, Kalamazoo and Cincinnati will help re-kindle Old Time Komet Hockey."
With the addition of Evansville and Fort Wayne, along with previously announced expansion teams in Orlando and San Francisco, the ECHL will play with 23 teams in 2012-13, an increase from 20 in the 2011-12 season. The ECHL will announce the 2012-13 schedule in the coming weeks.
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Discuss: |
Why are we posting this?
Because it means that the Central Hockey League has lost their 3rd team in the last three weeks.
Will there be any more? We know that the ECHL is not interested in every CHL team or market.
posted May. 18th, 2012 - 10:59am
Alex Hyde says:
Isn't it up to four teams now? Loredo, Evansville, Fort Wayne and Dayton. Shaky ground for sure.
Has Dayton made it official?
posted May. 18th, 2012 - 12:48pm
Alex Hyde says:
Yes.
As of yesterday this was the front page of their website:
May 17, 2012
It is with heavy hearts that we have decided to cease operations in the Central Hockey League. As you know, we took over a fledgling franchise back in December of 2009 to save jobs and save professional hockey in Dayton. Our goal was to add an additional group of local investors to join us in our mission, but unfortunately, that never happened. After privately and publicly searching for these investors with little success, we’ve been left with no other option than to cease operations.
We want to personally thank you for your loyal support over the past 3 years. Although this is a very difficult time for us all, we made some great memories and we couldn’t have done it without you. We hope that you have some special memories of your own to cherish as well. Our players, staff, corporate partners and especially our fans will always have a special place in our hearts.
Our goal is to see professional hockey continue on in this city for many years to come. We are willing to help with any transition that may be needed in order for this to happen. With that being said, we are glad to welcome the Federal Hockey League to Dayton. They will be operating a professional hockey franchise at Hara Arena for the 2012-13 season. More details will follow very soon regarding this new team, so stay tuned!
For those of you who have put down a deposit for 2012-13 season tickets with our organization, you have two options:
You can receive a full refund of your deposit by mail within 4 weeks.
We can pass along your contact information to the new FHL team and transfer your deposit for you at no additional charge.
Please let us know which option you prefer by emailing us at info@daytongems.net .
We’ve met a lot of great people and created some fantastic memories during the last few years and we hope that you will keep in touch. Thank you again for being there for us during this tremendous journey!
Sincerely,
Kathy Rupp, Partner
Dr. Paul Nitz, Partner
Rob Garfield, Partner
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