ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Familiar Faces And New Names Highlight Latest Signings For K-Wings

Published on September 22, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL, two-time defending North Division Champions and reigning Eastern Conference Champions, announce the signings of defenseman Wes O'Neill and forwards Patrick Asselin (as-LYNN), Nick Sirota (sir-OH-tah) and David Solway; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

A former selection by the New York Islanders in the fourth round (115th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, O'Neill is entering his fifth season as a professional.

Team captain for the K-Wings a season ago, O'Neill did play in 33 games in the American Hockey for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he served as the Tigers assistant captain.

"We are excited to have a guy of Wes' stature on the blue line" said Nick Bootland, director of hockey operations. "Last year, he was very pivotal during our playoff run making it very difficult for our opponents to get scoring chances."

The 2011-12 season will be O'Neill's second in Kalamazoo. O' Neill came to Kalamazoo last season after starting the year in the training camp of the Washington Capitals top affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

In his five year career, O'Neill has spent a majority of his time in the AHL, as well as five games in the NHL, all of them with Colorado Avalanche.

Before turning pro, O'Neill was a four-year standout at University of Notre Dame and played one season of Junior "A" hockey in the United States Hockey League with the Green Bay Gamblers.

A four-year pro, Asselin, who is returning for his third season in Kalamazoo, registered 65 points (27 points, 38 assists) in 69 points.

For his efforts, Asselin was named the K-Wings' Meijer Most Improved Player.

"He (Asselin) had outstanding season for us last season," said Bootland. "After a slow start, he found his way, caught on fire and was one of our more productive players on the power-play."

Offensively, Asselin's season started to spark on December 4th, with a four point night (3 goals, 1 assist) against the Elmira Jackals, which was highlighted by his first professional hat trick.

In his rookie campaign three seasons ago with the Hern EV (Germany), Asselin recorded 79 points (39 goals, 40 assists) in 50 games.

The native of Peterborough, Ontario has ties with the state of Michigan where he played five seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with the Saginaw Spirit.

In his last season in the OHL, Asselin torched the competition netting 41 goals en route to recording 78 points as he split the season with the Spirit and the Oshawa Generals.

New to the K-Wings this season will be Nick Sirota. A three-year pro, Sirota has spent the past two seasons in the Central Hockey League with the Missouri Mavericks.

Last season, Sirota posted 62 points (26 goals, 36 assists) in 66 games with the Mavericks.

"Sirota is a player that has had solid stats in both college and pro," said Bootland. "Nick plays the game hard; he plays it the right way."

A native of Fox Lake, Wisconsin, Sirota returns to the state of Michigan, where went to school at Northern Michigan University from 2005-09.

After concluding his collegiate career, Sirota began his pro career playing three games in the ECHL with the Idaho Steelheads.

The final addition to this group of signings for the K-Wings will be rookie David Solway, who joins the K-Wings after spending the past four seasons with the Bowling Green University Falcons.

During his first two seasons at Bowling Green, Solway was a teammate of current K-Wing forward Brandon Svendsen.

From his sophomore to senior seasons with the Falcons, Solway finished each season in the top three on his team in scoring.

"David is not big in stature, but he is feisty," said Bootland. "He goes to the tough places and makes it difficult for opponents."

Solway has already received some pro experience, as earned a point on assist in three games last season with the ECHL's Toledo Walleye.

Before heading to college, Solway played two seasons on Junior hockey, one with the Santa Fe Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League and the other with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League.

The addition of O'Neill, Asselin, Sirota and Solway gives the K-Wings 18 players signed for the upcoming 2011-12 season, which will commence at home on Saturday, October 15th versus the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Signed for this season are forwards Darryl Bootland, Trent Daavettila (daav-UH-till-uh), Ryan Del Monte, Kory Karlander, Dean Strong, Brandon Svendsen (sa-FVEND-son), and Justin Taylor.

Also signed are defensemen Joe Charlebois (SHAR-le-boy), Sam Ftorek (fah-TORE-ick), Mike Matczak, Elgin Reid, Adam Ross and goaltenders Jared DeMichiel and Riley Gill.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2011-2012 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information about tickets, give the Wings Stadium Ticket Office a call during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

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