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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

K-Wings Sign Three

August 23, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - Holding their collective breaths all summer for their favorite team to unveil some player signings, fans of the Kalamazoo Wings can finally exhale. The K-Wings have announced the signings of defensemen Sam Ftorek, Elgin Reid and forward Justin Taylor.

A 16-year veteran, Ftorek returns to Kalamazoo for his fifth season with the team. A leader on and off the ice, Ftorek has worn either the captain's "C" or the alternate captain's "A" in each of his seasons with the K-Wings.

With 37 points (9 goals, 28 assists) last year, Ftorek was the K-Wings most prolific scoring blue-liner.

"He (Ftorek) is the ultimate team-first player, who will do anything to help his team win," said Nick Bootland, director of hockey operations/head coach. "Sam's skill set will be a valuable assist on the power-play."

Ftorek, who has played 266 of his 918 regular season games in a K-Wings uniform, is the team's reining Pepsi Sportsmanship Award recipient.

A staple in the ECHL, Ftorek, who is the league's active leader in games played with 697, is tied for third with Wes Goldie for third place in all-time games played in the premier "AA" hockey league.

Coming from an excellent pedigree, Ftorek is the son of Robbie Ftorek, who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings (2), Quebec Nordiques (3) and New York Rangers (3). The elder Ftorek also possesses an impressive coaching resume with 22 years experience, 10 of which was in the NHL.

Besides signing last season's assistant captain, the K-Wings have added last year's team-captain Elgin Reid. The defenseman returns to the team for his third season.

Despite missing time due to injury, Reid ranked second amongst all K-Wing defensemen in scoring with 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists).

"Elgin has been a leader for our team the past two years," said Bootland. "He possesses the practice habits that can make the players around him excel."

Reid definitely led by example last season, as the six-year veteran received both the K-Wings' Booster Club Appreciation (Most Public Appearances) and the Harold Ziegler Automotive Group Defensemen of the Year Awards.

While a majority of his career has been spent in the ECHL, Reid has also played in the AHL with the Albany River Rats and the Houston Aeros.

Before turning pro, Reid played five seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League.

Like the first two signings, Justin Taylor is no stranger to Kalamazoo. Taylor will be returning to the K-Wings for this fourth season.

Traded 11 games into the season last year by the K-Wings, Taylor kept up his impressive playoff streak. The four-year pro has reached the conference finals in all three of his previous professional seasons, including last year with the Idaho Steelheads.

"Justin brings excitement to our locker room," said Bootland. "As a younger player, he has leadership qualities and knows how to compete in practice and sticks up for players."

The K-Wings will be looking for Taylor to return to his scoring form of a few years ago. After being named team's Rookie of the Year three years ago, there was no sophomore jinx for Taylor, who produced 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists) in a team-high 70 games last season. A workhorse, Taylor's 23 goals were the second-most of any K-Wings player.

A fan-favorite, Taylor is another member of the K-Wings that has done his share of public appearances. Two seasons ago, Taylor was named the Kalamazoo Wings Booster Club Appreciation Award recipient.

Before turning pro, the former sixth round selection (180th overall) of the Washington Capitals, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, was a member of the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

Kalamazoo will start the regular season on Saturday, October 19th at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana against the Evansville IceMen.

A week later on Saturday, October 26th, the K-Wings and IceMen will face-off again, this time at Wings Stadium for Kalamazoo's home opener, during the 10th Annual Orange Ice Game. Fans are encouraged to dress in costumes and participate in Halloween festivities.

Season and flexi-plan tickets for the upcoming 40th Anniversary season of K-Wings hockey are currently on sale at the K-Wings front office. Fans can purchase their tickets during regular business hours by calling a K-Wings Ticket Representative at (269) 743-6011.

For more information about the today's signings, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 226-0384.

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