PRINCETON, N.J. – The ECHL announced that the Board of Governors has approved the Expansion Membership application of the Fort Wayne Komets for admission to the ECHL. The addition of the Komets and Evansville IceMen will expand the League to 23 teams for the 25th Anniversary season in 2012-13.

Fort Wayne celebrated its 60th season of professional hockey in 2011-12, and led the Central Hockey League with 7,770 fans per game, marking the 10th consecutive season that the Komets have surpassed 7,000 fans in average attendance. The Komets captured the Presidents’ Cup as Central Hockey League champions in 2011-12, marking the ninth league title in team history. In addition to the CHL championship, Fort Wayne has won seven International Hockey League titles and one United Hockey League championship.

“The ECHL is pleased to welcome the Fort Wayne Komets to the League as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary in the 2012-13 season,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “Having just celebrated the 60th season of professional hockey in Fort Wayne, the Komets bring a history and tradition that is well known in hockey circles. With their strong fan support and history of success, the Komets will be a strong addition to our Midwest geography.”

“The entire Komet organization is looking forward to facing off our first ECHL season this October,” said Komets President Michael Franke. “Having such great nearby regional rivals like Evansville, Toledo, Kalamazoo and Cincinnati will help re-kindle Old Time Komet Hockey.”

With the addition of Evansville and Fort Wayne, along with previously announced expansion teams in Orlando and San Francisco, the ECHL will play with 23 teams in 2012-13, an increase from 20 in the 2011-12 season. The ECHL will announce the 2012-13 schedule in the coming weeks.