This was from Mayor Tom Henry:
WHEREAS, For over fifty years hockey has brought many new families, fans and businesses to the city of Fort Wayne; and
WHEREAS, The Fort Wayne Komets have driven the status of our city's reputation as a great minor-league town; and
WHEREAS, Some 10,480 fans witnessed and cheered on the Komets to take their second straight Turner Cup win, 4-1 over Muskegon; and
WHEREAS, This was the first time in their 57 year history that the Komets successfully defended a post season championship.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, THOMAS C. HENRY, Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, do hereby proclaim, May 12, 2009, as
KOMET HOCKEY DAY in Fort Wayne, and encourage all citizens to join me in recognizing the hard work and dedication this team, their coach, and their fans played in bringing home the Turner Cup.
Comments
Blake--Thanks for your outstanding coverage this year. Readers of the blog, now is your time to thank Blake for all the information that he's provided us for the year.
Great work Blake! Hope you get a couple of days off to rest after putting so much into this season. We are grateful for you!
Michael Franke was interviewed saying that they've got some suprises up their sleeves pertaining to the fact that they are talking to former players about coming back to play here next year. He said that we would be very excited about it. Hmmmm.... I wonder who it could be? Woods, Morency?? How about a checking line of Woods, Morency and MacMillan? I doubt anyone on the other teams would want the puck on their stick with those 3 out there. Probably won't happen, but one can dream.
Thanks Blake for all your hard work this year. Sure makes the season a lot of fun.
What about Aquino? Word on the street is he has a lady here that he visits quite often. I know he's a higher-league player, but I can wish can't I? I even named our puppy after the guy. The puppy likes to take off and not come home too... Coincidence??
As said before, great job this season Blake. I think one of the best things that happened to me in the hockey realm was one of the seasoned veterans sitting near me telling me about this blog. Nothing like checking it every morning, first thing at work to see what's going on. You do a great job and thanks too to all the other bloggers. Pretty cool gig everyone has going here.
Can't wait for the 3-pete. Do I owe Pat Riley money now??
Nice little speech there. :D I guess the mayor was kind of stuck last year. Someone dropped the ball. And after the fact, once people complained, he probably felt he couldn't do anything for fear of looking like he was just giving in to pressure. I'm glad he got it right this year. So how did all that go, by the way? Was there a good turn-out? I hope so.
And geez, Blake. You DO do a good job of blending in with the floor tiles. I looked everywhere for you. Someone told me you were in the back somewhere, but I never spotted you. :S
@Wendy: It wasn't a great turnout, but I would call it decent. I'd say there were about 100 to 125 or so people there (other reports have it listed as high as 150). I honestly think they would have gotten more if they had it at a different time, 5:15pm is kinda tough for most people as they work 8 to 5. I had to leave work early to make sure I got there on time.
@Blake: If you can take one more "thanks", I'm glad to give it. In all seriousness, though, as the obsessive fans we are we can't thank you enough for all of the time, energy, effort, and heart you put into your articles, blog posts, comments, etc.
@ChadRyan: Love, love, love, love the videos and pics.
It seems like starting in the 2007-2008 season, the bar keeps getting raised with coverage of our beloved Komets and I couldn't be happier.
I kept moving most of the night talking to folks, Wendy. Come to Komet Kuarters on Friday. There were maybe 150 people downtown and the coliseum folks told me an estimated 1,200 at the party.
Larry, check your email.
What players will be at Komet Kuarters?
Hukalo, Boucher, Repka and Thornson.
I still think the funniest part of the whole day, even funnier than Larry's haircut, was Al telling Bob he should write a book someday, and then saying a lot of it would be in the fiction section. I about peed myself.