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 Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Add All-Star Goaltender Jason Tapp and Veteran Defenseman Kevin Wilson

July 30, 2008 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the International Hockey League, announce the signings of goaltender Jason Tapp and defenseman Kevin Wilson; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

A top goaltender in any league in which he has played, Tapp joins the K-Wings after spending last season with the Corpus Christi Rayz of the Central Hockey League. As a member of the Rayz, Tapp had a 3.11 goals against average, a save percentage of 0.911 and earned the CHL's Goaltender of the League Award on two separate occasions.

A workhorse between the pipes, Tapp has averaged 53 games a season in his six-year career. Even more impressive, is that the netminder has posted a save percentage over .900 in five of those six seasons.

"To go far in the playoffs you need consistent and solid goaltending, and with this signing we (K-Wings) add one of the top goaltenders at this level," said General Manager Wade Welsh. "He (Tapp) contacted us and made it known he wanted to be a member of the K-Wings."

Coming to Kalamazoo during the franchise's 35th anniversary is a special coincidence for Tapp, whose father, Brian, played for the K-Wings during the inaugural 1974-75 season.

Familiar with Wings Stadium, Tapp played against the K-Wings for three seasons from 2004-2007 with the Missouri River Otters (2004-2005) and Quad City Mallards (2005-07).

In his first year with the Mallards, Tapp was spectacular. Besides earning an all-star appearance, the native of Kelowna, British Columbia ranked fourth in the United Hockey Leauge in goals against average (2.57), was tied for third in goaltender wins (34), second in the league in goaltender minutes played (3641:52), fourth in the UHL in saves (1,704) and was third in the league in shutouts (5).

Before turning pro, Tapp played his collegiate hockey at Boston University. In 52 games with the Terriers, Tapp went 18-22-4 with a 3.37 goals against average. During his sophomore season, Tapp shared the goaltending duties with current NHL netminder Rick Dipietro and was a back-up to former Chicago Blackhawk goaltender Michel Larocque during his freshman year at Boston University.

Joining Tapp in Kalamazoo will be veteran defenseman Kevin Wilson. A five-year pro, Wilson split last year in the Central Hockey League with the Oklahoma City Blazers and the Odessa Jackalopes.

A true ironman, Wilson has not missed a game in his entire pro career (318 games). The native of Thompson, Manitoba has also guided his team to the playoffs in each of his five pro seasons.

"He (Wilson) is a really solid stay-at-home defenseman that can move the puck," said Welsh. "We (K-Wings) needed to improve our defense from last year and Kevin is a good start to that process and with the elimination of the Injured Reserve (IR), having a durable defenseman like Kevin, is a huge bonus."

Before turning pro, Wilson played three seasons of collegiate hockey at Lake Superior State University.

The addition of Tapp and Wilson gives the K-Wings five players signed for the upcoming 2008-09 season, which will commence on the road Saturday, October 18th against the Bloomington PrairieThunder. Also signed for next season are forwards Justin Cross, Glenn Detulleo and defenseman John Miller.

Kalamazoo will open up the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 25th versus the Fort Wayne Komets during the 5th Annual Orange Ice Game.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2008-2009 season of K-Wings Hockey are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office during their regular business hours of 9 a.m.-4p.m. or by calling (269) 345-5101. Fans can save 15% on their season tickets by paying for their seats in full by October 15th.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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