Alumni Alert: Komets’ Jack Dugan gets goal, 2 assists in ECHL All-Star Classic

Justin A. Cohn | The Journal Gazette Jan 15, 2024

The Komets’ Jack Dugan had a goal – on a rocketing shot from the right circle – and two assists to help the ECHL All-Stars to an 18-11 win over the host Savannah Ghost Pirates on Monday night at the ECHL All-Star Classic in Savannah, Georgia.

The Atlanta Gladiators’ Mitchell Fossier was MVP with a goal and six assists.

Brandon Hawkins, a member of the Komets’ 2021 Kelly Cup championship team who plays for the Toledo Walleye, had a hat trick that included a goal whilst spinning at Enmarket Arena in front of a sellout crowd of 6,795.

Hawkins captained the All-Stars. Former Komets forward Matthew Boudens captained the Ghost Pirates, who led 43-42 in shots.

Dugan was joined by the Komets’ Skylar Garver, who was chosen by the ECHL’s hockey operations department to be the equipment manager.

The game had two periods of 5-on-5 hockey and one of 3-on-3. The Ghost Pirates got three goals for winning each of the skills competitions: Nolan Valleau won the hardest shot for the second time in his career at 95 mph; Brent Pedersen won the accuracy shooting in 3.6 seconds; and Sebastian Vidmar was the fastest skater in 12.95 seconds.

Dugan reached 83 mph in the hardest shot competition, finishing sixth.

The Rapid City Rush’s Alex Aleardi, who was born in Fort Wayne, had two goals, one set up by Dugan, who faced him in a three-game set last week.

The ECHL inducted its 2024 Hall of Fame class: former players Scott Burfoot, Brad Dexter, Jason Fitzsimmons and Shawn Wheeler, and June M. Kelly, who is the wife of founding commissioner Patrick J. Kelly and worked in the league office seven years. Burfoot played 10 games for the Komets in 1994-95 in the International Hockey League.