RELEASE: Oilers announce ECHL affiliation with Fort Wayne Komets

EDMONTON, AB - The Oilers announced their ECHL affiliate for the 2022-23 season will be the Fort Wayne Komets. The team had a previous affiliation with the Komets from 1988 to 1990.
Dating back to 1952, Fort Wayne has grown to become a hockey staple in Indiana, winning 10 championships as part of various minor pro leagues. Over the past 70 years, the Komets have been part of the International Hockey League (IHL), the United Hockey League (UHL) and the Central Hockey League (CHL) before joining the ECHL in 2012.
"On behalf of Ken Holland, Keith Gretzky and the entire Edmonton Oilers organization, we are thrilled to announce our new affiliation with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL," said Oilers Assistant GM Bill Scott. "As one of the premiere clubs in the ECHL with a rich history of professional hockey in Indiana, we are very excited to have our future Oilers in Fort Wayne.
"Under the leadership of Michael and David Franke and direction of Head Coach Ben Boudreau, we know that our prospects and players will have a first class experience in Fort Wayne while developing as players on the ice and people off the ice."
Owned for the past 33 years by the Franke family of Fort Wayne, the Komets have been perennial contenders in the ECHL, capturing the Kelly Cup in 2021 along with a division championship in 2016.
Newly-appointed Bakersfield Condors head coach Colin Chaulk had a storied career as a Komet from 2002 to 2013 and ranks third all-time in scoring with 684 points (184G, 500A) over 588 games. He also holds the franchise record for playoff games played (99) and had his number 91 retired in 2017.
The Komets begin the 2022-23 season on Oct. 22 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.