Before tonight's game, Komets' great Len Thornson and Applebees Chief Operations Officer Ron Long made the ceremonial puck drop along with Fort Wayne area director Kevin Bennett and Gretchen and Dean Spires of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In Thornson's honor, Applebees made a $60,000 donation to Make-A-Wish.
Thornson and Long have been talking for a few months regarding the situation with Thornson's memorabilia and have developed a friendship.