Fort Wayne Komets co-owner, president dies
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The Fort Wayne Komets are mourning the loss of co-owner and President Michael Franke. The team said on its website Monday that Franke passed away at the age of 63 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Michael—along with his brothers Steve, David, Richard and Bill—acquired the hockey franchise in 1990. He was also a member of the ECHL Board of Directors and is credited by the team for his role in merging the Central Hockey League with the ECHL.
In a statement posted to the Komets website, General Manager David Franke called Michael the soul of their family and the team.
“Komet hockey was a part of Michael’s life as a young boy. Becoming the Komets president was a lifelong dream he realized in the summer of 1990. Michael deeply loved his family, the Komets, and the Fort Wayne community,” he said. “Michael was a good man, a loving husband, father, uncle, and brother. As our dad told us many times, nothing stays the same; things change, and we keep moving forward. We will move forward, but with heavy hearts.”
Michael’s passing comes almost five months to the day after his brother, Richard, passed away.
The team will hold a moment of silence in remembrance of Franke before the Komets’ game against Utah on Friday.