It’s finally confirmed. The Vegas Golden Knights have come to an agreement with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets, for them to become their official ECHL affiliate.
In a deal that was made official on Aug. 21, the Vegas Golden Knights have announced their newly agreed-upon partnership with the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets.
As a part of the confirmed one-year accordance, the Knights will also continue their relationship with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League for at least another season.
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Fort Wayne’s General Manager, David Franke, released a statement regarding the agreement.
"“Today is an exciting day in Komet-land…We hope that this is mutually beneficial for all three franchises.”"
In Vegas’ inaugural season last year, they were most certainly the darlings of the NHL. Entering the National League with a bang, the Knights put up a regular season record of 51 wins, 24 losses, and seven overtime-losses for a story-book 109 point season.
This placed them first overall in the Pacific Division. Their high-level of play up-and-down the lineup brought them all the way to the Stanley Cup finals to face the eventual champions, the Washington Capitals.
Golden Knights’ General Manager, George McPhee, had this to say about the affiliation.
"“We are proud to add the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets as an affiliate…ECHL clubs play an important role in player development. Our young players and prospects will have the opportunity to grow and improve in both Fort Wayne at the ECHL level and then in Chicago at the American Hockey League level.”"
In this past years ECHL season, the Fort Wayne Komets had 46 wins, 20 losses, five overtime losses, and one shootout loss, to give them a total of 98 points. This allowed the Komets to place second in the Central division and clinch a playoff position.
The Komets would eventually make it all the way to the semi-finals of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, losing to the team who would bring home the hardware – the Avalanche affiliate, Colorado Eagles.
Fort Wayne had a lot of bright spots, but probably none brighter than right-wing Shawn Szydlowski. Shawn was the leagues leading point producer – putting up a whopping 79 points in 64 games played.
Through one full season as the Knights General Manager, George McPhee has built himself quite the franchise thus far. Going out and continuing to solidify the team’s farm system, further shows the management’s commitment to making Vegas a true hockey town.
Other teams around the league are surely taking notice. The Knights aren’t going to be a “one hit wonder”, if McPhee and Company have anything to say about it.