ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Kalamazoo Announces Affliation with Vancouver Canucks

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, announced the team has reached an agreement to be an affiliate of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.

Under the affiliation arrangement, during the 2011-12 season, Vancouver will assign players to Kalamazoo. Already having established a minor league system in the Midwest, the Canucks American Hockey League affiliate is the Chicago Wolves.

"We (K-Wings) are thrilled to be the ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks," said K-Wings President Paul L. Pickard. "Both organizations were extremely close to capturing their league's respective championships last season and we are excited to work with an organization that is as committed to winning as we are."

Last season, the Canucks cruised to the Northwest Division title by recording a record of 54-19-9 (117 points) and capturing the President's Cup, which is given to the NHL organization with the best regular season record. In the postseason, Vancouver defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks to win the Western Conference and head to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Since becoming a member of National Hockey League in 1970, Vancouver has advanced to the Stanley Cup finals on three occasions, the first time against the New York Islanders in 1982, next to the New York Rangers in 1994, and most recently last season to the Boston Bruins.

"We are pleased to announce this partnership with the Kalamazoo Wings," said Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis. "We are committed to providing a winning environment for our players and feel that Kalamazoo shares this philosophy. We are confident that in both Kalamazoo and Chicago, our players will have tremendous opportunities to further their development on and off the ice." -MORE-

Success also found the K-Wings a year ago, who captured their second North Division in as many years in the ECHL. Kalamazoo would go on to defeat the Florida Everblades, Reading Royals and Wheeling Nailers to capture their first-ever Eastern Conference crown.

With reaching this agreement, it marks the ninth occasion that the K-Wings have had an NHL affiliation and the second with Vancouver, who Kalamazoo was affiliated with from 1984-87, when the K-Wings were a member of the International Hockey League.

In their history, the K-Wings have been affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings (1974-1987), Philadelphia Flyers (1984-1987; 2009-2010), Vancouver Canucks (1984-1987; 2011-present), Minnesota North Stars (1987-1993), Dallas Stars (1993-2000), San Jose Sharks (2009-2010) and New York Islanders (2010-2011).

Kalamazoo will open up the regular season at Wings Stadium on Saturday, October 15th versus the Cincinnati Cyclones with a 7:30 p.m. face-off. The K-Wings will be hosting a pre and post game party on October 15th in the Annex.

Single-game and season tickets for the upcoming 2011-2012 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, please call Wings Stadium Ticket Office during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.

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