Ernie Berg was one of the two original owners of the Fort Wayne Komets. He started thinking about a hockey franchise for the city when plans were first announced for theAllen County War Memorial Coliseum. Mr. Berg convinced his friend Harold Van Orman to join him and the two businessmen secured a franchise in the International Hockey League and introduced Komet Hockey to Fort Wayne with the 1952-53 season.

One of Mr. Berg’s biggest contributions to the Komet organization was perhaps the development of the team’s nickname. He wanted to have a name that suggested speed, flash and excitement. He came up with the name Komets and spelled it with a “K” instead of a “C” after his wife. Her name was Kathryn but she always went by Kay.

Mr. Berg assumed the role of general manager in the beginning and even did a stint as the Komet’s PA announcer. Mr. Berg’s role as general manager and co-owner ended in 1958.