The championship Komets came up with a big goose egg at the CHL Awards banquet.
Thursday in Ice Chips 19 comments
The Florida Everblades, the team with the best name and logo in the league, wrapped up the ECHL's Kelly Cup on Wednesday night.
Thursday in Ice Chips 2 comments
First off, I neglected the other day to post this story -- click here -- about the Komets' using the move to the ECHL as
Tuesday in Ice Chips 1 comment
Here's our coverage from this morning's paper of the Komets' news conference announcing the team's move to the ECHL:
May 18, 2012 in Ice Chips 17 comments
The Komets have yet to sign any players for the upcoming season, though coach Al Sims, who has five Cups with Fort Wayne dating back to 1993, has signed an undisclosed contract to return.
May 17, 2012 in Ice Chips
While Komets president Michael Franke said the team's agreement with the ECHL is "for life," in actuality the agreement is for three years with the expectation that it will continually renew every three years.
May 17, 2012 in Ice Chips 7 comments
Most teams in the ECHL have affiliations with NHL teams. The Komets are open to the conversation but are willing to go it alone, maintaining control over their own roster.
May 17, 2012 in Ice Chips
While it still sounds as if Dayton may get a team in the Single-A level Federal League, it will have different owners than the Gems of the CHL.
That franchise has folded.
May 17, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
Courtesy of Fort Wayne Komets
Here's a look at the Komets' new website, which will go live June 5.
May 17, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
Here's what ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna had to say, when I asked him about what the Komets' schedule will be like next season:
May 17, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
Here's the video from the press conference introducing the Komets as the newest member of the ECHL. Also, coach Al Sims will be back next season.
May 17, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
Trying to figure out what all the hullabaloo is with the Komets' move to the ECHL?
May 17, 2012 in Ice Chips
Brian Gratz, a native of Fort Wayne and a former goaltender with the Komets, was hired to coach the CHL's Bloomington Blaze next season.
May 16, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
The Komets have scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon, and though they haven't disclosed the reason for it, sources confirmed they will officially announce their decision to join the ECHL.
May 16, 2012 in Ice Chips 14 comments
Though the Komets have no one under contract for next season, here's a look at the Fort Wayne players who have prior ECHL experience.
May 16, 2012 in Ice Chips
Here's a look at the top 10 reasons fans should be excited about the move, and a few things that might make you nervous.
May 16, 2012 in Ice Chips 7 comments
Assuming the Komets and Evansville Icemen jump to the ECHL this summer, let's take a look at how far away the member cities are from Fort Wayne.
May 15, 2012 in Ice Chips 9 comments
The Evansville IceMen are apparanently going to the ECHL before the Komets.
May 15, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
Less than a week after he hoisted the Presidents’ Cup and was selected as the Playoff MVP, forward Mike Vaskivuo has signed to play next season with Grenoble in France.
May 14, 2012 in Ice Chips 5 comments
For those of you wanting to purchase some keepsakes of the Komets' CHL championship, we have some things available.
May 14, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
I'm told the Bloomington Blaze may introduce its new coach Wednesday.
May 14, 2012 in Ice Chips
I recommend you buy the paper today, so you can see the finished, polished product, and get everything.
May 11, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
Here's a look at Bob Chase's speech during the Komets' end-of-season party, celebrating the Presidents' Cup championship.
May 10, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
Here's a look at how I graded the performance of the Komets' players, en route to winning the Presidents' Cup. Remember, it's for the whole season, not just the playoffs. And there's a special component to this:
May 10, 2012 in Ice Chips 11 comments
Yes, the Komets were sick of hearing that their IHL championships were meaningless. (By the way, what happened to all those people -- reporters around the league, included -- who mocked those titles?
May 9, 2012 in Ice Chips 15 comments
As my gift to all of you, I prepared this video highlighting the top 25 plays of the Komets' 2011-12 season, which culminated Monday with the hoisting of the CHL's Ray Miron Presidnts' Cup.
May 9, 2012 in Ice Chips 5 comments
Make sure you buy the Journal Gazette on Wednesday. We will have a special commemorative poster of Komets captain Colin Chaulk you will want to own.
May 8, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
The Komets annual end-of-season party and jersey auction will be Thursday at Memorial Coliseum Expo Center. Doors open at 6:30 and the auction will begin at 7 p.m.
May 8, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
OK, we've got a ton of coverage of the Komets' Presidents' Cup finals victory to bring you.
May 8, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
Relive the Komets' 6-3 victory over the Wichita Thunder, which clinched them the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup. This video has game highlights -- check out the Tom Mele-to-Bobby Chaumont goal -- celebrations and interviews.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
It may have got me bowled over a couple of times, but I followed the ride of the Presidents' Cup after it was presented to the Komets.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips
The Komets must have needed a little adversity -- again -- to get their paws on the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips
The Journal Gazette
In what may have been their final CHL game, the Komets achieved the CHL's highest honor.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips
That's right, I went into the Presidents' Cup finals picking the Wichita Thunder to win in six games.
The Komets won in five.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips 6 comments
After two periods at Memorial Coliseum, the Komets lead the Wichita Thunder 6-2.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
The Komets scored five of the six goals, in a span of 11:58, and are up 5-2 on the Wichita Thunder after one period in Memorial Coliseum.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
Wichita goalie Adam Russo, who has been out since Game 2 with a concussion, still hasn't been given permission to play.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
As of noon, there were about 7,500 tickets out for tonight's Game 5 of the Presidents' Cup finals between the Komets and Wichita Thunder.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
The Komets know this much: They don't want to get on the bus again.
May 7, 2012 in Ice Chips 6 comments
Because of a glitch with TicketMaster, there were only 3 1/2 hours today for the Komets to sell tickets for Game 5 of the Presidents' Cup finals Monday against the Wichita Thunder.
May 6, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
Before I forget, I wanted to thank all of the readers, players and the team.
May 6, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
On Monday night, we get to do it all again.
The Komets' 4-3 loss to the Wichita Thunder on Saturday means that Fort Wayne's fans will have Game 5 to try and see their team hoist the Presidents' Cup
May 6, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
I know some of you probably don't ever want to think of this game again -- especially if you were clutching a broom -- but this video has a lot of exciting things.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips
Justin Cohn/The Journal Gazette
I don't think the Komets played a bad game. When you unleash 39 shots and hit six posts, you couldn't have played that poorly.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
The Komets lost 4-3 to the Wichita Thunder in Game 4 of the CHL’s Presidents’ Cup finals on Saturday night.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips
We're tied at 3 going into the third period at Memorial Coliseum, in Game 4 of the Presidents' Cup finals, which Fort Wayne leads 3-0 over Wichita.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips 5 comments
Well, it's not often that something happens that I haven't seen before. But a penalty shot 19 seconds into a playoff game qualifies as the Komets and Wichita ended the first period tied at 2.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips
Wichita goalie Adam Russo, who is going to miss his second straight game with a concussion tonight, gave an interview on the facebook page of Shane Ewing, a reporter with KAKE-TV in Wichita.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips
It's a little more than two hours before gametime and they are just finishing breaking down the Saint Francis commencement furnishings.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips
Justin Cohn/The Journal Gazette
While many of us thought Wichita goalie Adam Russo suffered his concussion when the knee of Jean-Michel Rizk grazed him before a goal in Game 2 of the Presidents' Cup finals, I wonder if maybe it happened on this play.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
Even though they are up 3-0 in the best-of-seven President's Cup finals, which continue tonight at Memorial Coliseum, the Komets are vowing to bring their best game against the Wichita Thunder.
May 5, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
Make sure you check out ESPN tonight. It sounds as if I have gotten the Mike Vaskivuo-to-Colin Chaulk play on SportsCenter.
May 4, 2012 in Ice Chips 5 comments
One of the best tweets of the season was when I was asked if I raided Professor Plum's closet after I appeared on Indiana's NewsCenter's "Sound Off" on Thursday, before the Komets defeated the Wichita Thunder 7-3 to take a 3-0 lead in
May 4, 2012 in Ice Chips 11 comments
The Komets will have about 100 brooms to sell for $5 apiece at Game 4 of the Presidents' Cup finals on Saturday, anticipating a possible sweep. They lead the series 3-0 over the Wichita Thunder.
May 4, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
Four former NHL players have partnered as minority owners of the Allen Americans, and one will join the team in a hockey operations role, the Central Hockey League said today.
May 4, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
I'm told it is true that Wichita coach Kevin McClelland made the Thunder walk back to the hotel after the Komets' 7-3 victory in Game 3 of the Presidents' Cup finals on Thursday night. I don't blame him.
May 4, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
We've got lots to share in review of the Komets' 7-3 victory over the Wichita Thunder in Game 3 of the Presidents' Cup finals.
May 4, 2012 in Ice Chips 7 comments
Here's the video recap of the Komets' 7-3 victory over the Wichita Thunder from Thursday night at Memorial Coliseum. It gives them a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Presidents' Cup finals. Game 4 is Saturday at the Coliseum.
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
The theme for the Komets tonight was that they didn't want to let down, even though they came in with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Presidents' Cup finals.
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips 6 comments
The Komets came out hard, getting goals from Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock (2-on-1 rush) and Bryant Molle (shot from blue line) in the first 3:54.
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
The Journal Gazette
The Komets defeated Wichita 7-3 Thursday to take a 3-0 in the Presidents' Cup finals.
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips
The Komets had a flurry of special-teams goals, getting tallies from Daniel Maggio, Colin Chulk and Leo Thomas (with a delayed penalty coming) within a span of 1:
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips 6 comments
Wichita will not have goalie Adam Russo or forward Alex Bourret tonight in Game 3 of the Presidents' Cup Finals.
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
Heading into Game 3 of the Presidents' Cup finals, the Komets want to make sure they don't allow the Wichita Thunder to do to them what they did to the Missouri Mavericks in the last round.
Confused?
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
If Wichita's Adam Russo cannot play tonight in Game 3 of the Presidents' Cup finals -- and I'm hearing he won't be able to -- then the Thunder will look to Bryan Hogan.
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips 5 comments
There was one facet of Game 2 of the Presidents' Cup finals, a 6-3 victory by the Komets over the Wichita Thunder, that perhaps I should have delved into a little bit more.
May 3, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment
If you think about it, the most important goal of the President's Cup finals so far might have come from Komets defenseman Daniel Maggio, who put the Komets up 2-1 in what became a 6-3 Fort Wayne victory in Game 2.
May 2, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
Game 3 of the President's Cup finals, Thursday at Memorial Coliseum, will be televised live on Xfinity 81.The Komets lead the Wichita Thunder 2-0.
May 1, 2012 in Ice Chips 6 comments
The Laredo Bucks will not operate during the 2012-13 season, and the players will be declared unrestricted free agents, the Central Hockey League said today.
May 1, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
First off, make sure you check out this story on the challenges of the Komets playing behind the net, which has been a huge
May 1, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
WICHITA, Kan. – I’m in the airport in Wichita and contemplating how unexpected the play of the Thunder has been.
April 30, 2012 in Ice Chips 12 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- The CHL has changed the scoring on the Komets' final goal Sunday -- they defeated the Wichita Thunder 6-3 -- from Chris Auger to Mike Vaskivuo.
April 30, 2012 in Ice Chips
WICHITA, Kan. -- The Komets are halfway to winning the President's Cup finals, thanks to their 6-3 victory over the Wichita Thunder on Sunday.
April 30, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- Enjoy this video recap of the Komets' 6-3 victory over the Wichita Thunder, which gave them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven President's Cup finals.
April 29, 2012 in Ice Chips
WICHITA, Kan. -- For the second straight night at Intrust Bank Arena, forward Chris Auger scored twice to lead the Komets to a victory over the Wichita Thunder in the President's Cup finals.
April 29, 2012 in Ice Chips 8 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- Yes, I was the one who predicted Wichita would win the President's Cup finals in six games.
And Colin Chaulk won't let me forget it.
April 29, 2012 in Ice Chips 5 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- The Komets lead the Wichita Thunder 4-2 after two periods at Intrust Bank Arena, and I'd say it's officially time for the Thunder to be worried.
April 29, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- The Komets and Wichita Thunder are tied at 1 after the first period in Game 2 of the President's Cup finals. Check out the wacky goals.
April 29, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- Some fans who watched the Komets' 5-3 victory over the Wichita Thunder in Game 1 of the President's Cup finals were asking me if the ice surface at Intrust Bank Arena is regulation size.
April 29, 2012 in Ice Chips 4 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- The Komets certainly wouldn't have scripted it the way it went down, but they won the opening game of the President's Cup finals, 5-3 over the Wichita Thunder on Saturday night.
April 29, 2012 in Ice Chips 3 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- Did you miss the Komets' 5-3 victory over the Wichita Thunder in the opening game of the President's Cup finals?
April 29, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- OK, we've got lots to get you ready for the President's Cup finals, which begin tonight between the Komets and Wichita Thunder.
April 28, 2012 in Ice Chips 5 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- After winning the opening game of the President's Cup Finals 5-3, there were several things in particular the Komets talked about Saturday night:
April 28, 2012 in Ice Chips
WICHITA, Kan. – Chris Auger scored from the right circle to put the Komets up 8:04 into the third period and the Komets defeated the Wichita Thunder 5-3 in the opening game of the President's Cup finals.
April 28, 2012 in Ice Chips
WICHITA, Kan. -- After going up 3-1 on a Chris Auger goal, the Komets and Wichita Thunder are tied at 3 after two periods in the opening game of the President's Cup finals.
April 28, 2012 in Ice Chips 5 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- The Komets lead the Wichita Thunder 2-0 after one period in the opening game of the President's Cup finals.
Defenseman Jamie Milam opened the scoring at Intrust Bank Arena 10:
April 28, 2012 in Ice Chips 2 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- In warm-ups before Game 1 of the President's Cup Finals, the Komets' David Starenky and the Wichita Thunder's Erick Lizon were jawing a lot.
April 28, 2012 in Ice Chips 6 comments
WICHITA, Kan. -- Nick Boucher of the Komets and Adam Russo of Wichita have faced each other 12 times over the last three seasons.
April 28, 2012 in Ice Chips 1 comment