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ECHL Fort Wayne Komets

Komets Honor Chase's Golden Anniversary March 8

February 26, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release


Fort Wayne, IN --- This season marks the 50th year Bob Chase has been calling Komet Hockey play-by-play behind the radio microphone. A night of celebration honoring the golden anniversary, a feat most likely never to be matched, will be held March 8th when the Komets host the Flint Generals at 7:35.

Chase first began his broadcasting of Komet hockey games when he moved to Indiana from Michigan to begin his career in Fort Wayne starting with the 1953-54 Komet season. He has described Komet games over the radio, mostly WOWO AM 1190, for 5 decades since.

Returning home to Fort Wayne for the night to help honor chase will be one of the premier NHL television play-by-play announcers and hockey authorities in the world, Mike Emrick. Emrick, a native of the Fort Wayne area (Wabash, IN), became interested in broadcasting hockey play-by-play as a youngster and credits Chase's radio play-by-play of Komet hockey as his inspiration to pursue the career. "I don't think that Bob has bothered to measure the esteem with which he is held in the broadcasting business, the influence he has had on many of us who have listened to him and followed him into hockey, and the love Komet fans have for the one familiar voice they have been blessed with for half a century," Emrick said. "We hope the ceremony on March 8th will give him, his wife and family a clearer picture."

Emrick describes the most exciting Komets play he didn't see: "Komets vs. Dayton at Fort Wayne during the playoffs in the mid 60's. A face-off to the right of Gems' goalie Rick Best. 3 seconds left. Komets down by one. Len Thornson won it cleanly to Norm Waslawski who beat Best and forced overtime. Although the K's lost in OT, it remains one of the most thrilling plays I can recall. Thanks to Bob Chase, I saw it on the radio."

Mike "Doc" Emrick is in his 21st consecutive season as an NHL television announcer and 28th straight campaign covering professional hockey. Emrick currently is the TV voice of the New Jersey Devils and Fox Sportsnet New York.

Chase was honored for his 40th season 10 years ago during a ceremony retiring the number 40 in his honor and adding it to a list of retired Komet jersey numbers. March 8th, Chase also will become the 24th member to be inducted into the Fort Wayne Komet's Hall of Fame. He will be the only inductee of the class of 2002-03.

"We want March 8th to be a great night for a great man who has lived most of his life for his family, his community and Komet hockey, " said Komet's President Michael Franke. "Bob has been an inspiration to many of us through the years and we are looking forward to a night in his honor March 8th."

Ceremonies will begin prior to the 7:35pm start of the Komets vs. Flint Generals game at the Memorial Coliseum Saturday, March 8th. Plenty of good seats for all Komet games remain on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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