IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Returning players to K-Wings makes for a strong rookie class

Published on July 8, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings of the United Hockey League announce the signings of goaltender Joel Martin and forward Mike Manley for the upcoming 2005-2006 season. Per team policy, the terms of the contract will be undisclosed.

While Joel Martin, 22, remains a rookie under United Hockey League standards, the netminder played like a veteran down the stretch of the K-Wings season and nearly brought Kalamazoo back from a three games to none deficit against the Rockford IceHogs in the Opening Round of Colonial Cup Playoffs.

In his first season in Kalamazoo, the native of Three Hills, Alberta was dazzling between the pipes stopping .927 of the shots he faced, which placed him second among all goaltenders in the league. Martin, who had a goals against average of 2.20, was just two periods shy of qualifying for the league leaders in GAA. The 2.20 GAA would have placed Martin second among goaltenders in the league.

For his efforts on the ice, Joel earned the Kalamazoo Public Schools K-Wings Rookie of the Year Award. Martin continued to have his presence felt off the ice, as the Joel led all K-Wing players in public appearances and as a result earned the Kalamazoo Wings Booster Club Appreciation Award.

‚¬Å“Joel has always made the most of the opportunities he has received, ‚¬Â said Vice President/General Manager Paul L. Pickard. ‚¬Å“In just one season in the league, he (Martin) has positioned himself among the top goaltenders in the UHL.

Martin joined the K-Wings after spending the 2003-04 season with both the Odessa Jackalopes (CHL), and Columbus Cottonmouths (ECHL). Before playing in Odessa, the native of Three Hills, Alberta started that season in the training camp of the Edmonton Oilers. The young goaltender has put up stellar numbers wherever he has played included 41 victories in his three seasons of Junior ‚¬Å“A ‚¬Â hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Like Martin, forward Mike Manley's efforts during last year's postseason will go down in K-Wings lore. In a grueling overtime, Manley, 23, made the Wings Stadium crowd erupt by scoring the game-winning goal in the game five to force the first round series back to Rockford. The goal by Manley is perhaps the biggest goal scored in K-Wings' UHL history.

The work ethic displayed by the London, Ontario native in the playoffs was a carry over from the regular season. Manley's determination and work ethic earned the rookie the K-Wings' Meijer Most Improved Player Award.

‚¬Å“Mike is a player that got better as the season went on, ‚¬Â said Pickard. ‚¬Å“By seasons end, he (Manley) was one of our most consistent contributors.

Manley joined the K-Wings last season on 12/8/04 as a free agent. Before joining the K-Wings, the forward played a season of college hockey at the University of Manitoba (2003-04) and a season of Junior ‚¬Å“A ‚¬Â hockey in the USHL with the Cedar Rapid Rough Riders.

The signings of Martin and Manley gives the K-Wings three players signed for the upcoming 2005-06 season, which begins October 22nd, when the K-Wings travel to Port Huron to battle the Flags. Besides Martin and Manley, the K-Wings signed forward Nick Bootland earlier this off-season.

Season Tickets for the 2005-06 season of Kalamazoo Wings hockey are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Fans can save 15% by purchasing their season tickets for next season by paying in full by September 15th. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fans can either stop by during regular business hours or call (269) 345-5101.

For more information about the signings of Joel Martin and Mike Manley, please contact Director of Public Relations/Broadcaster Mike Modugno at (269) 349-9772 extension 220.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from July 8, 2005


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