ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Blake Kessel Joins Wings, Tyler Shattock Traded To Alaska Aces

Published on January 17, 2017 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


KALAMAZOO, MI- Defenseman Blake Kessel has reported to the Kalamazoo Wings, and forward Tyler Shattock has been traded to the Alaska Aces for forward Justin Breton, the team announced Tuesday.

Kessel, 27, was traded to the Wings from the Atlanta Gladiators in November, and after a stint in the American Hockey League, he has joined the Wings in Kalamazoo. Kessel raced out of the blocks with the Gladiators this season, earning seven goals and 23 total points in his first 22 games played. Through that point of the season, the veteran led all ECHL blueliners in scoring and ranked sixth overall in the league.

He hasn't appeared in an ECHL game since November 27, but he earned an eight-game stint on a PTO the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL in December and logged two assists.

The native of Madison, WI made his pro debut in 2012 with the Adirondack Phantoms (AHL) after a three-year career with the University of New Hampshire. Since his debut, Kessel has logged 302 games at the professional level in the AHL (85 GP), ECHL (160 GP) and Europe (57 GP), while registering 162 points (36 goals, 126 assists).

Kessel was drafted in the sixth round (166th overall) by the New York Islanders in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and is the younger brother of Stanley Cup champion and current Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel.

Breton, 27, is a third-year pro who has spent most of his career with the Aces. The native of Fitchburg, MA, has appeared in 149 career ECHL games with Alaska, and has produced 40 goals and 76 total points. Through 33 games in 2016-17, the 6-foot-1 forward has totaled 15 points (seven goals, eight assists). Breton has also appeared in two AHL games with the Manitoba Moose.

Before turning pro, Breton spent four seasons at Bentley University (AHA), where he played 140 games and tallied 65 points.

Shattock, 26, spent a season and a half with the Wings and logged 58 points (21 goals, 37 assists) over the course of 96 games played. The seventh-year pro from Salmon Arm, British Columbia, has skated in 37 games during the 2016-17 season with the Wings and logged 23 total points (seven goals, 16 assists).

Over 422 career games between the ECHL and AHL, Shattock has amassed 188 total points on 67 goals and 121 assists. His career began in 2010 with the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL, and his stops have included Evansville (ECHL), Chicago (AHL), Stockton (ECHL), Worcester (AHL) and Kalamazoo.

Shattock was drafted in the fourth round (pick #108) by the St. Louis Blues in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

In a separate transaction, goaltender Keegan Asmundson was traded to the Tulsa Oilers for future considerations. In his only appearance with Kalamazoo on the season, Asmundson picked up a 42-save victory against the Wheeling Nailers.

Single game tickets start at just $10 all season long and can be purchased at the Wings Event Center box office or at http://kwings.com/SingleGameTickets .

Wings Event Center, owned and operated by Greenleaf Hospitality Group, is home to the minor league hockey team Kalamazoo Wings and a full entertainment venue offering concerts, sporting events, family shows and trade shows. Built in 1974, Wings Event Center values partnerships with the community to bring events and attractions that enrich the lives of residents in the Kalamazoo area.

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