IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Battaglia Earns Most Sportsmanlike

April 7, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the International Hockey League, announce forward Anthony Battaglia has been named the IHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year.

A key component of the K-Wings offense, Battaglia has recorded 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) and only 10 minutes in penalties in 58 games.

Starting his K-Wings career on an impressive note, Battaglia racked up four-points (1 goal, 3 assists) versus the Fort Wayne Komets on November 15th at Wings Stadium.

Battaglia had a few multi-game point streaks this season. The native of Chicago, Illinois went on a five-game point streak from 12/12/08-12/20/08, a seven-game point streak from 02/11/09-02/25/09, and most recently another five-game streak from 03/21/09-03/28/09.

A seven-year pro, Battaglia played in his 400th career game on January 2nd against the Flint Generals. Battlaglia also earned his 300th career point against the Generals on March 28th.

Joining the K-Wings on November 8th as a free-agent, Battaglia spent a majority of his career in the ECHL, most recently with the Augusta Lynx. Besides playing in the ECHL, Battaglia has seen time in the AHL with the Lowell Lock Monsters (2002-03) and the EIHL with the Manchester Phoenix (2006-07).

Familiar with Kalamazoo, Battaglia spent four seasons (1998-92) playing collegiate hockey at Western Michigan University. With the Broncos, Battaglia registered 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists) in 139 games. By signing with the K-Wings, Battaglia is reunited with Lucas Drake, who was a teammate of Anthony at Western Michigan (2000-02) and for two seasons with the Mississippi Sea Wolves (2003-05) of the ECHL.

Before playing at WMU, Battaglia spent one season in junior hockey with the Soo Indians of the NAHL. Anthony is also the younger brother of former NHL'er Bates Battaglia.

The award was voted on by the league's general managers, head coaches, public relations directors and media.

Kalamazoo will return home to Wings Stadium this Friday, April 10th with a 7:30 face-off versus the Fort Wayne Komets during Fan Appreciation Night, presented by WKFR.

The contest, which is the regular season home finale for the K-Wings, will be the final Pepsi Family Friday of the season. The K-Wings will offer fans $1 Pepsi and $1 popcorn. After the game next Friday, the K-Wings will conduct their end of the season awards ceremony, as well as hold their warm-up jersey auction.

Single-game tickets for any of the K-Wings 38 regular season home games are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from April 7, 2009


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