Utica Comets President Robert Esche, in conjunction with Chapter 490 Military Order of the Purple Heart, announced today that the Utica Comets will be honored as the First Purple Heart Hockey Club; the Comets are only the eighth professional sports team in the country, the second team in New York State, and the first hockey team to be awarded this honor. The Comets plan to hold an official proclamation ceremony at their annual Military Night on Friday, November 9, when they face off against the Hartford Wolfpack at the Adirondack Bank Center.