Fort Wayne, IN — The Komets announced Thursday that veteran defenseman Jason Beckett has been added to the preseason roster.

Beckett, 28, played last season in Austria where he posted 16 goals and 39 points in 40 games with EC Salzburg while leading the team with 130 penalty minutes.

Prior to his 2007-08 European stint Beckett skated six seasons in the American Hockey League. The Fort Macleod, Alberta native has appeared in stints with Trenton, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Houston, Syracuse and Grand Rapids accumulating 11 goals, 42 points and 480 penalty minutes in 238 AHL games.

"Jason Beckett is a player Al Sims has tried to sign the last two summers," said Komet's general manager David Franke. "Beckett's agent, Mark Feinsod, worked very hard with us to get Jason a two-way contract with Norfolk of the AHL. Jason will attend Norfolk's training camp and if he does not make the Norfolk team he will play in Fort Wayne and be available for call-up to Norfolk during the season."

Beckett, six-foot-three and 216 pounds, was selected by Philadelphia in round two of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. His first pro season was with the AHL Philadelphia Phantoms in 2000-01. 2008-09 will be Beckett's eighth pro season.

The Komet's 2008-09 roster increases to 22 players including 11 forwards, 10 defensemen and one goaltender. Training camp begins with a noon press luncheon at the Memorial Coliseum Monday, Oct. 6. Details of the luncheon and a camp itinerary will be released at a later date.

Three exhibition games are scheduled. The Komets will host Bloomington Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7:30pm and travel to Kalamazoo Friday, Oct. 10 for a 7:30pm faceoff at Wings Stadium. The Komets and Wings will conclude pre-season play with a 7:30pm match at the Coliseum in Fort Wayne Saturday, Oct. 11.

The Komet's defense of the Turner Cup championship begins on the road at Port Huron Friday, Oct. 17. The Fort Wayne home opener is slated for Saturday, Oct. 18 against the Flint Generals at 7:30pm.