Fort Wayne, IN — The NHL (National Hockey League) announced Tuesday that Fort Wayne Komets broadcaster Bob Chase will be honored as a recipient of the prestigious 2012 Lester Patrick Award. Chase, along with Washington Capitals executive Dick Patrick, will be honored during the annual U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction celebration in Dallas Oct. 15.
The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented annually by the NHL since 1966 in honor of Lester Patrick. Patrick spent 50 years in hockey as a player, coach and general manager and was a pioneer in the sport’s development.
Dick Patrick is a grandson of Lester Patrick and son of former New York Rangers player and coach Muzz Patrick and has continued the tradition of franchise building long established by the Patrick family. Patrick has served as president of the Washington Capitals since 1982.
Bob Chase hails from Negaunee, Michigan, where he was born Jan. 22, 1926. He was raised in Marquette, Michigan and after high school joined the U.S. Navy where he served from 1943-1947. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Chase entered Northern Michigan University at Marquette and graduated in 1952. While in college, Chase started his radio career in Marquette in 1949.
Chase moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to begin his radio career at WOWO AM 1190 in 1953 which included broadcasting Komet hockey games starting with the 1953-54 season. Chase also broadcast play-by-play of high school basketball and served in additional aspects of radio from disc jockey to sales, marketing and promotions director. The legendary broadcaster retired his position as WOWO Sports Director in 2009, but continues to provide the Fort Wayne radio outlet with commentaries and various news contributions.
Chase has called all nine Fort Wayne’s league championships and 12 regular season titles during his six decades of broadcasting Komet hockey. The upcoming 2012-13 campaign, Fort Wayne’s inaugural ECHL season, will be Chase’s 60th anniversary season behind the Komets’ microphone radio-rinkside and can be heard on WOWO Radio AM 1190 and FM 92.3 and at www.komets.com Xfinity KometCast.
Season home opener Oct. 12– The Komets will make their ECHL debut on Friday, Oct. 12 when they host the Kalamazoo Wings at 8pm. The Komets’ 61st anniversary season will feature 36 home games and 36 road games. Start times for Komet home games remain unchanged from last year; Monday thru Thursday and Saturday games start at 7:30pm, Friday games faceoff at 8pm and Sunday games start at 5pm.
Single Game Tickets Go On Sale Wednesday, Sep. 12– Komets 2012-13 single game tickets, including tickets to both home exhibition games, go on sale Wednesday, Sep. 12 at 10am at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at www.ticketMaster.com. Season tickets are on sale at the Komet office, 1010 Memorial Way, Fort Wayne. For information visit www.komets.com, or call 260-483-0011.
