Komets Re-sign Auger, Dunbar; Five Signees Push Roster to 15
Published on July 23, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release
Fort Wayne, IN - The Komets announced Tuesday the addition of five more players to the preseason roster. Returning to the Komet fold are forwards Chris Auger and John Dunbar. Also inking agreements are rookies Joe Hartman (D), Kyle Follmer (D) and Scott Fleming (C).
Auger (aw-SJAY), 25, will be returning to the lineup after missing most of last season due to injury. The Belleville, Ontario native skated four games with the Komets last year tallying a goal and two points before an injury abruptly ended his abbreviated second season with the Komets. Auger made his pro debut with the Mississippi RiverKings of the CHL 2010-11 before serving his second pro year with the Komets in 2011-12 when he led the K's with 28 goals and scored Komet highs of 10 goals and +12 in 18 playoff games en route to the 2012 CHL Presidents' Cup Championship. Auger was also named the Komets' 2011-12 Rookie of the Year. 2013-14 will be his third pro season since serving a four-year college stint at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in Hockey East from 2006 to 2010.
Dunbar, 22, will be back in Fort Wayne after splitting last season with the Komets and Pensacola (SPHL). The forward scored five goals and 10 points in 17 games with Fort Wayne. Dunbar amassed 11 goals and 23 points in 27 regular season games with the Ice Flyers before leading Pensacola to the SPHL Presidents' Cup Championship with team highs of five assists and seven points in seven post-season games. Prior to turning pro, the Calgary, Alberta native skated four seasons with Calgary in the AJHL from 2007-2011, collecting All-Rookie honors in 2008-09 and earning All-Star status in 2009-10. Dunbar also appeared two seasons with Quinnipiac University (ECAC) before making his pro debut last season.
Hartman, 24, will make his pro start with the Komets when the puck drops on the 2013-14 season. The defenseman was selected a USHL All-Star in 2008-09 while a member of the 2009 Clark Cup Champion Indianapolis Ice. Last year Hartman finished four seasons of CCHA play at Miami University-Ohio where he led Redhawk defensemen his rookie season with seven assists. Hartman was also named to the NCAA All-Rookie Team and named Redhawk Rookie of the Year while helping Miami to the 2009-10 NCAA regular season championship. The St. Cloud, Minnesota native also claimed the 2011 Mason Cup Championship before helping Miami to his second NCAA regular season title last year to complete his four-year college run.
Follmer, 25, will also make his pro debut with the Komets this year. The St. Paul, Minnesota native completed four seasons of CCHA play with Northern Michigan last year scoring college totals of 15 goals, 52 assists, 67 points and 194 penalty minutes in 152 games. In 2011-12, Follmer led the Wildcats with 22 assists and topped Northern Michigan defensemen with 26 points in 36 games.
Fleming, 25, turned pro appearing in six games with the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators in 2011-12. The rookie center skated a four-year college tour with Dartmouth (ECAC) from 2007-2011. Fleming was named to the NCAA All-Academic Team in 2008 and during 2008-09 the Plainfield, Ontario native led Big Green with 13 goal in addition to ranking third on the team with 25 points and named to the NCAA All-Academic Team for the second consecutive year. In 2009-10 Fleming led Dartmouth with 22 goals and 39 points. Fleming captained Dartmouth his final college season (2010-11) while leading Green with 31 points.
Komet head coach Gary Graham was very pleased with today's signings. "I'm excited to reunite with Chris Auger. He plays a puck possession game and can help the team out in many different ways. He is thrilled to be a Fort Wayne Komet again, Graham said. "John Dunbar is an explosive player that brings a consistent work effort every time he hits the ice. He played a big part in our championship in Pensacola last year and his time with the Komets last year proved he can play in this league. I look forward to seeing John in training camp. Joe Hartman has been a steady, durable defenseman for a solid college program in Miami, Ohio. He skates very well for a big guy and has an offensive side in him that I'm looking forward to working with. Kyle Follmer is a unique player in that he brings the physical play consistently with his offensive instincts. He loves to battle and compete and will be the perfect fit for our physical D-zone coverage. Scott Fleming is a dynamic skater with tremendous speed. His collegiate coaching staff raved about him as well as coaches within his conference. He loves to compete and we are happy he chose Fort Wayne to make his comeback."
The Komets' 2013-14 roster grows to 15 players with the addition of Auger, Dunbar, Hartman, Follmer and Fleming. The lineup currently includes nine forwards and six defensemen.
The Komets will open 2013-14 at home against the Toledo Walleye Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30pm. The Komets' 62nd season in Fort Wayne features 36 home games while 36 road games are on the docket. View the entire 72-game schedule here.
Komet Hockey Season tickets for 2013-14 are on sale at the Komet office, 1010 Memorial Way in Fort Wayne, Indiana. For ticket information visit komets.com or call the Komet office at 260-483-0011.
ECHL Stories from July 23, 2013
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- 'Blades Agree to Terms with Gimblett & Merrifield - Florida Everblades
- Paukovich Back for Fourth Wranglers Season - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Komets Re-sign Auger, Dunbar; Five Signees Push Roster to 15 - Fort Wayne Komets
- Forward Kyle Rogers Returns to Toledo for a Fourth Season - Toledo Walleye
- Royals Agree to Terms with Defensemen Bobby Shea and Brad Walch - Reading Royals
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