ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Blockbuster Deal Sends K-Wings an Offensive Threat

Published on September 23, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Trade with Muskegon Sends Proficient Scorer Andrew Luciuk to Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings of the United Hockey League announce the acquisition of forward Andrew Luciuk (lou-SEE-uk) from the Muskegon Fury. In return for Luciuk, the Fury will receive the K-Wings' First Round Draft Pick in the UHL's annual North American Amateur Draft in March 2004, cash compensation, and a player to be named later.

"If you want to win championships, you need to bring in players that can help you reach that goal," said Vice President/General Manager Paul L. Pickard. "As an organization we have always been dedicated to bringing home the Colonial Cup, and acquiring Andrew is another piece to that puzzle."

Luciuk, 26, has made his mark in the professional ranks since turning pro six years ago. During his rookie campaign with the Ashville Smoke (98-99), Andrew posted an impressive 32-point season on 16 goals and 16 assists to earn the United Hockey League's Rookie of the Year Award.

The native of Edmonton, Alberta, scored his 32 points in just 38 games with the Smoke, as he started the season in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades.

Andrew's sensational rookie season accomplishments have been the tip of the iceberg for the left-winger. While Luciuk has enjoyed call-ups in each of the past three seasons to both the former IHL (Detroit Vipers 99-00) and the AHL (Rochester Americans 99-00, Manitoba Moose 01-02 and Grand Rapids Griffins 02-03), much of this talented forward's success has occurred in the UHL.

With Muskegon during the 1999-00 season, Andrew registered an astonishing 72 points (34 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games. During the Fury's post-season run that year, Andrew scored 14 points on 7 goals and 7 assists in the 13 games he played. Luciuk proved to be a clutch performer in the playoffs as he tallied a UHL playoff high 3 game-winning goals for the Fury.

After a brilliant 00-01 season in which Luciuk once again averaged over a point a night for Muskegon, the veteran rekindled his playoff magic the following year as Andrew played a critical role in Muskegon winning the Colonial Cup during the 2001-02 season. The Fury's Most Inspirational Player recipient capped off a magnificent playoff run with 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 17 playoff games to bring the championship to Muskegon.

Last season, Andrew continued his scoring dominance as he enumerated 74 points (32 goals, 42 assists) in 74 games for Muskegon. While the Fury's postseason run was cut short, Andrew still found his scoring touch as he added 11 points in 9 games for the Fury.

"Andrew is one of the most balanced scorers at this level of hockey," said Pickard. "He (Luciuk) is a double threat that can beat you with his shooting or his passing."

The 6-1 scoring dynamo becomes the 10th player signed by the K-Wings for the 03-04 season. So far the K-Wings roster has four defensemen (Chad Dameworth, Mark Vilneff, Guy Dupuis, and Tyson Turgeon), five forwards (Andrew Luciuk, Pat O' Leary, Andrew Long, Mark Mink, and Tyler Willis) and one goaltender (Chad Alban).

"With a solid core of defensemen already in place, we needed a scorer," said Pickard. "What makes Andrew such a great acquisition for us is that he is not just a pure scorer; he gives us a talented forward who also plays defensive-minded, and he's a character guy who knows what it takes to win a championship."

The accession of Luciuk will reunite him with Mark Vilneff. Both Luciuk and Vilneff were teammates in Muskegon for three seasons including the 01-02 championship season.

Before turning pro, Luciuk played Major Junior "A" hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Prince George Cougars. Andrew enjoyed three outstanding seasons with Prince George. In 188 games in Junior "A", Luciuk tallied 138 points on 58 goals and 80 assists. Andrew was also deemed the Cougars Most Dedicated Player during the 97-98 season.

Season tickets for the K-Wings 30th Anniversary Season are currently on sale by calling the Wings Stadium Box Office at (269) 345-5101. Fans can still save 15% on their season tickets by reserving their seats for this historic year.

For more information about the acquisition of Andrew Luciuk, please contact Mike Modugno, Director of Public Relations and Broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.

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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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