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Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Sign Two

July 16, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL, announce they have agreed to terms with defenseman Devin Featherstone and forward Anton Kharin (hah-REEN) for the upcoming 2009-10 season; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

Featherstone joins the K-Wings after spending his rookie campaign with the Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League. A physical stay-at-home defenseman, Featherstone registered 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) in 62 games with the Bucks. Featherstone finished the season with a +19, which not only lead his team, but it was also the top plus/minus rating of any rookie in the CHL.

"He (Featherstone) is a young defenseman that possesses the speed and size needed to compete in the ECHL," said Wade Welsh, general manager. "Not only is he strong in the defensive zone, he also loves to play the body."

Before turning pro, Featherstone played two seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Lethbridge (CWUAA) and four years of Junior ‘A' hockey with the Prince George Cougars (WHL).

After spending the past three seasons playing for Division I powerhouse Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) forward Anton Kharin is ready for his first full season of professional hockey.

Kharin received a taste of the pro ranks late last season, when he produced 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists) in 10 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League (IHL).

Helping the Tigers to the American Hockey Association regular season conference crown, Kharin racked up 20 points (12 goals, 8 assists) in 32 games last year.

"Last season, Anton proved in a very short time that he has the tools to be an impact player," said Welsh. "Anton's speed is one of his best attributes, which we witnessed first hand last season just before the playoffs."

Kharin is the son of former professional hockey player Sergei Kharin, who was the United Hockey League Playoff MVP of the 1998-99 Colonial Cup Champion's Muskegon Fury. Sergei was a former NHL draft pick and played for the Winnipeg Jets and was a member of the Soviet Union National Team Olympic Gold Medal Team in 1988. Having the ultimate father-son moment, the Kharins played one professional contest last year as teammates in Muskegon.

The additions of Featherstone and Kharin give the K-Wings five players signed for the upcoming 2009-10 season, which will commence on the road Thursday, October 15th against the Reading Royals. Also signed for next season are forwards Rick Cleaver, Trent Daavettila and Bryan Jurynec.

Kalamazoo will open up the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 24th versus Reading with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2009-2010 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 1st.

For more information regarding the signing of Devin Featherstone and Anton Kharin, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.

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