Hobey Baker finalist Eric Hartzell signs with Komets

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets announced Monday that goaltender Eric Hartzell has agreed to terms and will join Fort Wayne for 2016-17.

Hartzell, 27, completed last season appearing in 22 games in Germany with Heilbronn in DEL2. The native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota started the year skating five ECHL games with Wheeling and adding one AHL game with Stockton.

During 2014-15 Hartzell logged 32 games with Wheeling including two winning decisions against the Komets. He scored a 5-4 shootout victory Jan. 2 in Fort Wayne and a 2-1 win March 27 at Wheeling.

Hartzell posted a college career year in 2012-13, registering a 30-7-5 record and 1.57 goals-against average in 42 games with Quinnipiac University in the ECAC and led the Bobcats to the NCAA National Championship game. The netminder established a Quinnipiac record with an overall four-year goals-against average of 1.96 with a winning record in each year. During his senior season Hartzell was named to the First All-American Team, First All-Star Team, earned the ECAC Goaltender of the Year award, the USA Hockey College Player of the Year award and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist. Hartzell was also rewarded in July, 2013, with a two-year, two-way NHL contract with Pittsburgh.

Hartzell made his pro debut in 2013-14, splitting the season between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL and Wheeling. In 25 games with Wilkes-Barre Scranton Hartzell was 10-8-1 with a 2.48 goals-against average. He posted an 8-5-1 record and 3.13 goals-against average in 14 games with Wheeling.

The Fort Wayne roster grows to 20 players with the addition of Hartzell. The preseason roster includes 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders. See preseason roster

Three preseason games slated-- 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)

The Komets will open the season with a home-and-home series against the Quad City Mallards starting Friday, Oct. 14 at Quad City. Both teams return to Fort Wayne for the Komets' home opener Saturday, Oct. 15.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.