Komets agree to terms with three

Fort Wayne, Ind. - The Fort Wayne Komets announced today that captain Anthony Petruzzelli has re-signed for a sixth season with the team. The Komets have also signed forward Semyon Babinstev and rookie defenseman Marc-Antoine Pépin.

Petruzzelli reached career highs in goals (27), assists (30) and points (57) last season. The 29-year-old has not missed a game due to injury since joining the Komets on March 31, 2018, totaling 251 games. Petruzzelli played four games in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves during the 2019-20 season, missing nine games with the Komets, putting his current consecutive games played streak at 179. He was named captain on Jan. 5, 2022.

Babinstev signed with Fort Wayne before the 2021-22 season but did not play a game due to immigration issues. The Moscow, Russia, native played three seasons with the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League, accumulating 82 points (35g-47a). After three seasons at the junior level, the 27-year-old played in Kazakhstan and the Kontinental Hockey League for HC Sochi and the Czech Extraliga for HC Litvínov. Babinstev suited up for 32 games with the Newfoundland Growlers, scoring 22 points (11g-11a) during the 2018-19 season.

Pépin, 21, appeared in 181 games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League throughout six seasons, collecting 103 points (19g-84a).