Komets ink defenseman James Martin

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets announced Thursday that James Martin has agreed to terms and becomes the eighth defenseman to take a spot on the Fort Wayne preseason roster.Martin, 23, spent most of his third pro year last season skating 51 games with Alaska in the ECHL scoring career highs of 15 assists and 17 points before collecting the Kelly Cup Championship with the Aces. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native capped a four-year major junior career in 2010-11 with Kootenay of the WHL (Western Hockey League) posting juniors career highs of 11 goals, 18 assists and 29 points in 65 games prior to helping the Ice to the 2011 WHL Championship. Martin then signed a three-year entry level contract with the NHL's Calgary Flames before making his pro debut logging 28 games with Abbotsford in 2011-12.In 2012-13 Martin scored 10 assists and 13 points in 44 games with the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies while also appearing in five AHL games with Abbotsford. Martin has amassed ECHL totals of five goals, 25 assists, 30 points and 87 penalty minutes as he enters his fourth pro campaign. Wolfe dealt to the Aces-- Rookie forward Greg Wolfe, acquired this summer after graduating last season from Michigan State, has been traded to Alaska to complete the trade Fort Wayne made last month with Alaska for left wing C.J. Severyn in exchange for future considerations.

The Fort Wayne preseason roster of 21 includes 12 forwards, eight defensemen and one goaltender. Forwards: Brett Beebe, Paul Crowder, Mike Embach, Angelo Esposito, Eric Faille, Thomas Frazee, Alex Hudson, Christian Ouellet, Matthew Pisitilli, Kaleigh Schrock, C.J. Severyn, Shawn Szydlowski. Defensemen: Ian Barteaux, Drew Daniels, Matt Krug, William Lacasse, Matthew Maione, James Martin, Cody Sol, Mikael Tam. Goaltender: Pat Nagle.Preseason home gamesFriday, Oct.10, Evansville IceMen at Fort Wayne Komets, 8pmSaturday, Oct. 11, Evansville IceMen at Fort Wayne Komets, 7:30pmMonday, Oct. 13, Kalamazoo Wings at Fort Wayne Komets, 7:30pm.

AHL exhibition game at Fort WayneSaturday, Oct. 4,Lake Erie Monsters vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, 7:30pm.

Tickets to all exhibition games and Fort Wayne regular season individual home games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at TicketMaster.com. All exhibition game tickets, including the AHL exhibition game, are priced from $8.00 to $15.00.Home openerSaturday, Oct. 18,Indianapolis Fuel at Fort Wayne, 7:30pm.Season Tickets for 2014-15 continue to be on sale at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way in Fort Wayne. For information visit Komets.com or call the Komet office at 260-483-0011.