Fort Wayne, IN— The Komets announced that the Franke Brothers will be inducted into the Komets Hall of Fame on Sunday in a pregame ceremony before the Komets play Cincinnati at 5:05 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
In the summer of 1990, owner David Welker relocated the Komets to Albany, New York, ending 38 years of local history and leaving thousands of fans without a team. Refusing to let one of hockey's most storied franchises disappear, the Franke brothers—Stephen, David, Michael, Bill, and Richard—bought the dormant Flint Spirits at the International Hockey League's request and brought the Komets back to Fort Wayne.
The final game of the 1989-1990 season drew just 1,600 fans. On October 5, 1990, the first game under Franke ownership attracted 8,000 fans to the Coliseum, signaling the revival of Komet hockey.
As the Komets celebrate their 75th anniversary, they remain a testament to the Franke family's enduring legacy. Only the NHL’s original six and the AHL’s Hershey Bears have operated longer than the Fort Wayne Komets.
“My dad and uncles were Komets fans long before they became owners, and that has always shaped how they’ve cared for this team,” said Komets Vice President of Operations Stephan Franke. “They understood how much the Komets meant to Fort Wayne because the team meant that much to them, too. As a son and nephew, I’m proud to see them receive this honor, and grateful to the generations of fans who have made this journey possible. I believe the best way to honor their legacy is to serve the next generation with the same commitment they’ve shown Fort Wayne, pursuing championships on the ice and striving to put our fans first in everything we do.”
Since taking ownership in 1990, the Frankes have etched their names among the most enduring and storied ownership groups in all of sports.
Under Franke ownership, the Komets have captured championships across decades: IHL in 1993, UHL in 2003, IHL2 from 2008 to 2010, CHL in 2012, and ECHL in 2021.
Remarkably, the Komets have claimed playoff titles in every league they have entered, missing the postseason just four times and never in back-to-back years.
The Frankes will join founding owners Ramon Perry, Ernie Berg, and Harold Van Orman, along with owner and head coach Ken Ullyot in the prestigious Komets Hall of Fame.
Click here for a complete list of Komet Hall of Famers
Visit komets.com for updates on ticket offers, promotional events, schedules, special game jerseys, theme nights, and other highlights for the 75th consecutive season of Fort Wayne Komets Hockey.
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