ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Add Three

Published on September 16, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL and affiliate of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League, announce the signings of defensemen A.J. Thelen (Thee-lynn), Mitch Versteeg and forward Brian McGuirk; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

A four-year pro, Thelen has played the past two seasons with the ECHL's Florida Everblades. Last season, Thelen, who missed the end of the regular season and the playoffs due to injury, not only led the Everblades to the postseason, but earned a trip to the ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Reebok. During the game's skill competition, Thelen captivated the fans in Ontario, California by capturing the Hardest Shot Competition with a blistering speed of at 101.9 mph.

Thelen's efforts also caught the eye of the AHL, earning a call-up to the Rochester Americans during last season.

"Thelen brings championship experience to our blue line," said director of hockey operations and head coach Nick Bootland. "Watching him play last season against us (K-Wings), we already know the tangibles he will bring to Kalamazoo that will help us solidify our defense."

Before turning pro, Thelen split his final season of junior hockey in the Western Hockey League between the Prince Albert Raiders and the Vancouver Giants. The native of Savage, Minnesota helped lead the Giants to the Memorial Cup Championship posting eight points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 22 post-season games.

A former first-round draft pick (12th selection overall) of the Minnesota Wild, Thelen will be returning to the state where he played college hockey. Thelen spent two seasons as a member of the Michigan State University Spartans, including his freshman campaign where he racked up 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in just 41 games, which ranked fourth on the Spartans in scoring that season.

As a result, Thelen was named an All-CCHA First-Team All-Star to become the first Spartan rookie to be selected to the all-league first team. Thelen also earned CCHA All-Rookie honors to become just the second MSU player, joining Ryan Miller in 2000, to earn both all-rookie and all-league honors in the same season.

During that same season, Thelen was selected as the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman, joining John-Michael Liles and Jason Woolley as the other Spartans to receive that honor.

Joining Thelen on the K-Wings blue line will be Versteeg. Entering his second full season of pro hockey, Versteeg played a majority of his rookie campaign in Kalamazoo. Versteeg earned 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists) in 63 games. The native of Lethbridge, Alberta also spent a part of the last season in the AHL with the Worcester Sharks.

"He (Versteeg) established himself as one of our most reliable and physical defensemen," said Bootland. "With a year under his belt, we anticipate Mitch's confidence and development as a player to continue to grow."

Earning a reputation for his checking ability, Versteeg also showcased his offensive prowess in the playoffs dishing out three assists in five games.

Before joining the K-Wings last season, Versteeg played three seasons in the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Versteeg made his presence while with the Hurricanes racking up 297 minutes in penalties in 148 games. Mitch also helped Lethbridge to back-to-back playoff appearances.

Versteeg is the younger brother of Kris Versteeg, who won the Stanley Cup last season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Adding to an already hardy stable of forwards, the K-Wings have added McGuirk.

A four-year pro, McGuirk is returning for a second season in Kalamazoo, after spending his first 66 pro games as a member of the AHL's Syracuse Crunch.

Starting last season in the training camp of the AHL's Providence Bruins, McGuirk tallied 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) in 64 games with the K-Wings.

"He (McGuirk) was an energy guy for us last season and made things happen with his physical play," said Bootland. "After suffering an injury at the beginning of the season, he started the season off slow, but he came into his own as the year went on."

A four-year standout at Boston University, McGuirk racked up 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) and 113 minutes in PIMS in his tenure with the Terriers.

The additions of Thelen, Versteeg and McGuirk gives the K-Wings 14 players signed for the upcoming 2010-11 season, which will commence on the road Friday, October 22nd against the Toledo Walleye. Also signed for next season are forwards Patrick Asselin (as-LYNN), Trent Daavettila (daav-UH-till-uh), Andrew Fournier (four-KNEE-ay), Sam Ftorek (fah-TORE-ick), Kory Karlander, Bryan Jurynec (jer-NiCK), Anton Kharin (hah-REEN) and Darryl Lloyd. Also signed for this season are goaltender Ryan Nie (NYE) and defensemen Jon Landry and Ross Rouleau (roo-LOW).

Kalamazoo will open up the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 23rd versus the defending Kelly Cup champion's, the Cincinnati Cyclones with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium during the 7th annual Orange Ice game featuring an indoor pre-game tailgate party and the raising of the 2009-10 North Division banner.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2010-2011 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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