ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Receive Players from Affiliates

Published on October 9, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- With eight days until the start of the regular season and 15 away from the Kalamazoo Wings home opener on October 24th against the Fort Wayne Komets, the team's training camp just got even more competitive with the addition of four affiliated players.

Earlier today one of the teams AHL affiliates, the Springfield Falcons reassigned goaltender Scott Munroe (Monroe) to the K-Wings. A nine-year veteran, Munroe has played his previous eight seasons in either the American Hockey League or in the top leagues in Europe.

Last season, Munroe went 19-16-0 with a goals-against average of 2.05 and a save percentage of 0.912 for the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League.

Munroe, who has been called up the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers during the 2008-09 season, has spent half of his career with the Philadelphia/Adirondack Phantoms.

Coming out of college undrafted, Munroe was a four-year standout at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

The K-Wings also received two players from one of their NHL affiliates, the Vancouver Canucks and another from their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. Vancouver reassigned forwards Alex Mallet (male-LAY) and Dane Fox, while the Comets have reassigned Curtis Valk.

A second round (57th overall) selection of the Canucks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Mallet is a third year pro that is returning to Kalamazoo. Mallet, who spent all of last season with the AHL's Utica Comets, spent 46 games during his rookie season with the K-Wings.

Prior to turning pro, Mallet had his breakout junior season with the Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) where he posted 81 points (34 goals, 47 assists) and had 81 minutes in penalties in 68 games to help Oceanic reach the QMJHL President's Cup Finals.

In total, Mallet played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League netting 120 points (54 goals, 66 assists) in 203 contests.

Embarking in his rookie campaign Fox comes to Kalamazoo after spending the past three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Erie Otters.

Last season, Fox ranked second on the Otters in scoring with 107 points (64 goals, 43 assists). Showcasing his offensive skills, Fox posted 227 points (118 goals, 109 assists) in his 243 game OHL career.

From 2011-2013, Fox was coached by Robbie Ftorek, the father of current K-Wings defenseman Sam Ftorek.

Valk will begin his rookie season with the K-Wings. Leading by example, Valk was an alternate captain two seasons ago and a team captain last year for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. During the 2012-13 season, Valk tallied 91 points (46 goals, 45 assists) in 71 contests.

Valk's offensive prowess continued the following season where he set a personal career-best with 92 points (47 goals, 45 assists) in 72 games. In five seasons with the Tigers, Valk posted 255 points (125 goals, 130 assists) in 270 games.

Kalamazoo will get their first taste of preseason game action tomorrow, Friday, October 10th with a 7:15 p.m. face-off on the road against the Toledo Walleye.

On Saturday, October 11th, the K-Wings will host the Walleye at Wings West for a 7:30 p.m. face-off. To celebrate the start of a new season, the K-Wings will open the doors to the public for FREE. Fans can get a glimpse of this year's team and feel all the excitement of a K-Wings game for no cost. Wings West is located on 5076 Sports Drive off of 9th Street in Kalamazoo.

Closing out their preseason schedule on Monday, October 13th, the K-Wings will travel to Allen County Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a 7:30 p.m. face-off versus the Fort Wayne Komets.

Tickets for all K-Wings home games are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster locations, including www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000. Ticket office hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Individual ticket prices for home games are $14 and $18 for adults and only $8 for kids ages 12 and under. The price for all K-Wings premium night games (all colored ice games and the New Year's Eve game) are just $1 more. Fans can save money by purchasing K-Wings single-game tickets in advance. Tickets purchased on the day of a game increase by $2 (adults only).

Fans that plan on attending multiple games can avoid service fees plus enjoy a discount from the single-game price by purchasing a 12, 24 or 36-game flexi-plan. These plans, along with rivalry packs and group ticket packages may be ordered through the K-Wings front office by calling (269) 743-6011.

The K-Wings home opener will occur on Friday, October 24th versus Fort Wayne Komets at Wings Stadium during their 11th Annual Orange Ice Game. Fans are encouraged to dress in costumes and participate in Halloween festivities.

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