The Fort Wayne Komets have been a staple in the Summit City dating all the way back to 1952. In the 70+ years of Komets hockey the team has brought a total of 10 championship titles to the Fort. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just someone that enjoys a casual night out at the rink, hockey night in Fort Wayne is unmatched.
Over the years there have been several eras of Komets hockey. Since its inception, the team has been in four different professional hockey leagues, endured several ownership changes and the city even spent a few days without a franchise. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and ride the roller coaster that has been hockey in Fort Wayne.
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
In 1944 the Fort Wayne Junior Chamber of Commerce (FWJCC) began discussing the possibility of building a field house. With the Summit City growing, they saw a need for a building that could host events for the community. It was also important to them to dedicate the building as a war memorial. Before any official construction plans could be made, however, it was up to the FWJCC to get the support from the community.
The FWJCC got to work by going door-to-door to share the news of the hopeful project. With World War II still a fresh memory, the idea of it being a war memorial went over well with the community. Despite the three million dollar price tag, a county-wide referendum was passed. In January of 1950 the construction of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum began and it was completed in September 1952.
One Man and an Idea
After Fort Wayne announced plans to build a new field house, one man had an idea to bring hockey to the Summit City. Ernie Berg took a trip to Toledo one night and attended an IHL game. After digesting the hockey atmosphere Berg returned to Fort Wayne dead set on bringing that same experience home with him. And thus, the Fort Wayne Komets were born. The team’s inaugural season came the same year as the completion of the Coliseum, 1952.
Berg chose to name the team “Komets” because he wanted the name to suggest they were fast and exciting. Many wonder why he chose to spell it with a “K” rather than a “C” in the traditional spelling. The explanation is actually rather simple. Berg’s wife’s name was Kathryn and went by Kay so he landed on “Komets” as an ode to her.
The Original Komets Franchise (1952-1990)
The Komets spent their first 48 years in the International Hockey League (IHL). In their first 10 season, the Komets qualified for the postseason six times and made it to the finals twice. Finally, in the 1962-63 season the Fort Wayne Komets brought their first championship to Fort Wayne. The original Komets franchise would go on to also win the championship in the 1964-65 and 1972-73 seasons.
All was well in Fort Wayne. The Komets had won three championships and had qualified for the postseason almost annually for almost five decades now. With the team gaining popularity every season, it seemed like the Komets had a promising future in the Summit City. Then, almost suddenly, ownership moved the team in the summer of 1990 to Albany, New York. For the first time since 1952 the city of Fort Wayne was left without professional hockey. Or so they thought.
Modern Day Komets (1990-Present)
Two days. That’s how long it took for hockey to return to Fort Wayne. With the old franchise leaving the city and becoming the Albany Choppers, the Franke family flung into action. After acquiring the Flint Spirits, the Franke’s moved the team to Fort Wayne and kept the Komets name and history.
The Komets remained in the IHL for nine more seasons and won one more championship in the 1992-93 season. In 1999, the Komets moved to the United Hockey League (UHL). In total, the Komets spent eight seasons in the UHL and won yet another championship in in the 2002-03 season. In 2007, the UHL changed their name to the International Hockey League after the former league of the same namesake dissolved.
The Komets would go on to win three straight championships in the IHL before transitioning to the Central Hockey League (CHL) in 2010. The Komets were only in the CHL for two season and won the championship in 2012. Between the IHL and CHL the Komets had won a championship four times over the course of five seasons.
In 2012, the Komets again switched leagues, this time becoming a member of the ECHL. Nine years later the Komets won their first championship in the ECHL.
The Komets Legacy
All told the Komets have been a member of four different leagues and won at least one championship in each. Over the 72 years of Komets hockey they have totaled 12 regular season championships, 12 division titles and 10 championship titles. Additionally, they have become the most popular professional team in the Summit City. Not bad for something that all started with one man and an idea.
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