Beaupre returns to Komet blue line

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets announced Monday that defenseman Gabriel Beaupre will be returning to the Fort Wayne blue line for 2016-17. Also, center Mike Cazzola has agreed to terms and will make his pro debut with the Komets.

Beaupre, 23, will be appearing in his third season with Fort Wayne. After making his pro debut during 2012-13 skating stints with Lake Erie in the AHL and Denver in the CHL, Beaupre spent the entire 2013-14 season with Lake Erie (65 games) and added 35 games with the Monsters in 2014-15 before joining Fort Wayne for 11 games. The Levis, Quebec native scored five assists and seven points and ranked third with 87 penalty minutes in 52 regular season games with the Komets last season and added 15 playoff games scoring two assists and leading the Komets with +12.

Cazzola, 25, is coming off a four-year collegiate career with Acadia in the CIS (AUS). The Guelph, Ontario native finished his college stint last year leading the Axemen with 16 goals and 30 points and earned a spot on the CIS Second All-Star Team for the second straight year. In 107 college career games with Acadia, Cazzola totaled 52 goals and 133 points. Prior to joining Acadia, Cazzola skated a five-year juniors career in the OHL scoring totals of 77 goals and 225 points in 219 games.

The Komet roster grows to 12 players with the addition of Beaupre and Cazzola. The preseason roster includes eight forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender.

Komet support staff returning-- The Komets also announced Monday that the team support staff will be returning for 2016-17. Joe Franke and Aaron Franke will return as co-equipment managers. Also, Zachary Creighton will be returning as Athletic Trainer.

Komets to skate three preseason tilts-- The Komets will skate three exhibition games, two at home and one on the road. The preseason schedule is as follows:Friday, Oct. 7, Indy Fuel at Fort Wayne Komets, 8pm ET (Allen County War Memorial Coliseum)Saturday, Oct. 8, Fort Wayne Komets at Indy Fuel, 6pm ET (Indiana Farmers Coliseum)Monday, Oct. 10, Brampton Beast at Fort Wayne Komets, 7:30pm ET (Allen County War Memorial Coliseum)

Opening night for the 65th season of Komet Hockey in Fort Wayne is Saturday, Oct. 15 against the Quad City Mallards.

See 2016-17 Komet schedule

Season tickets and group tickets for 2016-17 are on sale at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way in Fort Wayne. Call the Komet office at 260-483-0011 or visit komets.com for information.