Fort Wayne, IN — The Komets will kick off their defense of back-to-back IHL Turner Cup Championships tonight, scheduled for 7:30, when the puck drops on the 2009-10 campaign at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio.  The host Dayton Gems are planning on opening night ceremonies delaying the start of the game by about 15 minutes.

Tonight will mark the first time a Komet team has traveled to Dayton and Hara Arena since March 15, 1980, when the Komets and Gems skated to a 4-4 tie.  The Komets-Gems rivalry dates back to 1964-65, when the Gems made their IHL debut in the new Hara Arena.  That year the Komets went on to win their second Turner Cup Championship.  During the old 14-year rivalry the Komets posted a 67-81-12 record against the Gems overall in regular season play.

The 58th consecutive season of Komet hockey will get underway with Bob Chase calling the action radio rinkside on WOWO Radio AM 1190.  It will be Chase's 57th straight season behind the Fort Wayne Komet microphone.  The game can also be heard worldwide on the Komets' website at www.komets.com at Comcast KometCast.

The Komets will launch the season with a roster of 23 players including 13 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders.

Twenty Komet players are eligible to make the trip to Dayton tonight.  Not making the trip will be winger David Hukalo and defenseman Brandon Warner.  Both are on the 30-day injured reserve list.  Also not with the Komets is forward Jimmie Bonneau who has been called up to the AHL's Rochester Americans.

Saturday the Komets will head to Port Huron for the first of five trips to McMorran Arena.  Saturday night's game against the IceHawks is slated for 7:30pm.

The Komets' home opener is Friday, Oct. 23 against the Bloomington PrairieThunder at 8pm.  Fans are encouraged to arrive early for pre-game ceremonies.

Tickets for Komet home games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at www.ticketmaster.com.  The Komets offer discounts on group tickets sold at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way.  Season tickets also continue to be on sale.  For more information visit the Komet office, call 260-483-0011 or visit the Komets' website at www.komets.com.

Single game ticket prices for 2009-10 remain the same as last season, ranging from $8.00 to $20.00 for seniors and adults and starting at $6.00 for children.