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Jr. K-Wings to Return to the NAHL Starting in 2011-12 Season

November 4, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Stadium Management Co. (SMC), which operates the Wings Stadium Complex, Wings West and the Kalamazoo Wings hockey club of the ECHL announces the formation of the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings, which will begin play next season in the North American Hockey League.

The statement was made at Wings West, which will be home to the Jr. K-Wings on Thursday by Paul L. Pickard, president of Stadium Management Co.

"Today's announcement furthers our commitment to our community of southwest Michigan and to our goal of making southwest Michigan a model community for ice in the United States," said Pickard. "Stadium Management Co. wants to fill all the voids our community has when it comes to ice and today we were able to forge ahead in filling a need we had in the sport of hockey. NAHL Junior hockey is the step local players as well as players from all over the world take between the highest levels of youth hockey and college or pro hockey."

The Jr. K-Wings will join the Kalamazoo Wings as the second hockey entity owned by SMC. The K-Wings, which were established in 1974, are currently competing in their second season in the ECHL, which is the premiere AA level of professional hockey.

"The K-Wings will remain intact," said Pickard. "The front office of the K-Wings will also sell and serve as public relations for the Jr. K-Wings." -MORE- Southwest Michigan last had two teams play under the K-Wings moniker from 1988-94, when the K-Wings were in the International Hockey League and the Jr. K-Wings were in the NAHL. During the 1988-89 season, the team was named the Western Michigan Wolves. Following the completion of their inaugural season, the Wolves donned the moniker of the Jr. K-Wings because the K-Wings brand is interwoven into the fabric of the community of southwest Michigan.

Pickard was the owner, general manager and head coach of the original Jr. K-Wings team that was also a member of the NAHL. Under the direction of Pickard, the Jr. K-Wings in their six-year existence (1988-94) earned a record of 137-86-25-1-0 and hoisted the Robertson Cup (playoff championship) on two separate occasions (1991, 1993).

"We are excited to reunite with the NAHL," said Pickard. "The league has done an outstanding job of emphasizing the importance of education, college scholarships and athletics in the 27-team coast-to-coast nationwide league."

Even more impressive than the two championships, the original Jr. K-Wings' developed over 50 players for Division I hockey in the six seasons they were in the NAHL.

"Bringing the Jr. K-Wings back gives the local players that are talented enough an opportunity to use the NAHL as a stepping stone to Division 1 college hockey"

One of the local Jr. K-Wing graduates, Mike Knuble, played four years at the University of Michigan before embarking on a lengthy career in the NHL. He's currently in his second season with the Washington Capitals.

"The Kalamazoo market is an exciting addition to our league, given our already-strong presence in Michigan and the community's passion and support for hockey across the local spectrum," said Mark Frankenfeld, NAHL commissioner. "That, coupled with an experienced ownership group committed to growing the sport of hockey and the success of aspiring student-athletes hoping to reach the collegiate and professional ranks, offers so much potential, on and off the ice."

The Jr. K-Wings are the fifth NAHL team to call Michigan home, joining the Michigan Warriors (Flint), Motor City Metal Jackets (Trenton), Port Huron Fighting Falcons and Traverse City North Stars.

"The NAHL has experienced a lot of success in Michigan, and the addition of Kalamazoo only helps strengthen our geographical footprint in the area," said Frankenfeld. "Not only does that allow for enhanced rivalries throughout our North Division, it also limits the travel for our student-athletes who are expected to excel in the classroom, as well as on the ice."

Today's announcement also furthers the sentiments, Pickard shared in September with the unveiling of Wings West.

"We want to create an atmosphere where a child could participate in KOHA, stay in Kalamazoo for junior hockey, play collegiate hockey at Western Michigan University and then become a K-Wing," said Pickard.

Fans can learn more about the Jr. K-Wings by logging on their new website at www.jrkwings.com or on Facebook. Stadium Management Co. owns the Wings Stadium Complex, the Kalamazoo Wings professional hockey team, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings and Wings West. The Wings Stadium Complex is comprised of three buildings; Wings Stadium seats more than 5,100 fans for K-Wings home games and more than 8,000 people for concerts and other stage events. The Annex seats 1,367 for ice events and can seat up to 2,850 for non-ice events such as car, boat, and trade shows. The Cube is the newer of the three facilities and plays host to both ice and non-ice events. All three buildings along with the newly acquired and named Wings West facility, which has two ice rinks and the Center Ice Sports Bar, are available for rental and feature numerous catering and meeting opportunities.



North American Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2010


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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