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ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Rookie of the Year Returns

September 10, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo Adds Three More Players, Including Last Season's K-Wing Rookie of the Year

Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings of the United Hockey League announce the signings of defenseman/forward Tyson Turgeon and forwards Pat O'Leary and Andrew Long for the upcoming 2003-2004 season; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.

Turgeon, 26, played his rookie season with the K-Wings last year. Tyson's first season as a professional was a memorable one, as the native of Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, received the K-Wings Canney's Water Conditioning Rookie of the Year Award.

"Last season was a huge learning experience for me," said Turgeon. "With a year under my belt, I feel I can contribute a lot more to the team's success."

In a season where Tyson played just 59 games with Kalamazoo due to injury, Turgeon still tallied 22 points (4 goals, 18 assists) and registered 53 minutes in penalties. Turgeon proved to be a multi-dimensional player, as he played both defense and forward for the K-Wings.

Before joining the K-Wings, Turgeon spent four seasons at Lake Superior State University (NCAA). In 128 games with the Lakers, Turgeon recorded 21 points (4 goals, 17 assists), and 50 minutes in penalties.

"Tyson brings a lot to the table," said Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Mark Reeds. "Last season, he (Turgeon) proved to be one of our top defensemen; however, with his ability to play forward, Tyson also gives us a solid utility player."

Turgeon isn't the only returnee to the K-Wings lineup. The K-Wings have also signed center Pat O' Leary. Like Tyson, O' Leary also played his professional rookie season with Kalamazoo. Pat joined the K-Wings in November after spending the beginning part of the season with the Quad City Mallards. O' Leary's gritty style of play, coupled with his hard work ethic, earned Pat the K-Wings Meijer Most Improved Player Award.

"I'm excited to be back," said O' Leary. "This off-season has been long and I just can't wait to get back out there. As a team, we have a lot to prove from last season, and I feel we can live up to our expectations of being a championship contender."

Before turning pro, O'Leary played four seasons with the University of Minnesota in the WCHA, where he was a member of the 2002 National Championship team.

In 1998, Pat was a finalist for Mr. Hockey in Minnesota. In that same year, O'Leary heard his name called at the NHL Draft, as the Phoenix Coyotes selected the Plymouth, Minnesota, native with their 3rd round pick (73rd selection overall).

During his senior prep season (97-98) at Armstrong High School, Pat scored 49 goals. O'Leary also had a stellar season on the baseball diamond, as he was named to the USA Today High School All-America team.

"Pat is a blue collar player that shows up to play every night," said Reeds. "The energy he brings to each shift on the ice we hope will be contagious. Pat works hard in the corners and finishes his checks, and because of that he forces our opponents to make mistakes."

The K-Wings also solidified a roster spot at forward with the signing of Andrew Long. The 25 year-old forward was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 5th round (129th selection overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

The 6-2 center is also a playmaker who has great vision on the ice. In 2000-01, Long had his best season as a professional scoring 61 points for the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks. That 61-point campaign put Andrew second on his team in scoring, and earned him a trip the ECHL All-Star Game.

"I am looking forward to playing in Kalamazoo," said Long. "What attracted me to the K-Wings was their dedication to winning; I know both the organization and the city have a rich hockey tradition and that's the type of atmosphere a player wants to play in." Last season, Andrew played 66 games for the ECHL's Columbus Cottonmouths, where he scored 48 points on 18 goals and 30 assists. Besides Columbus and Tallahassee, Long has also played in the ECHL for the Miami Matadors and the Florida Everblades. Andrew has also spent three years as a professional in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the New Haven Beast, Louisville Panthers, and the Hamilton Bulldogs.

This will not be Long's first time in the UHL. Andrew spent 5 games with the Port Huron Border Cats during the 1999-2000 season. Long put up an impressive 7 points in those 5 games during his time with Port Huron, which earned him a call-up to Louisville.

"Andrew is a very unselfish player that will help us offensively," said Reeds. "He (Long) has put up strong numbers everywhere he has played and we hope he can continue to find success here in Kalamazoo."

Before turning pro, Andrew played four seasons of Junior "A" hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, where he played for the Guelph Storm. In his OHL career, Long tallied 140 points (48 goals, 92 assists) and added 96 minutes in penalties during the 189 games he played for Guelph.

With these recent signings, the K-Wings roster has grown to eight players signed for the K-Wings 30th Anniversary season. Season tickets for the 2003-2004 season are currently on sale by calling the Wings Stadium Box Office at (269) 345-5101. Fans can still save 15% on their season tickets by reserving their seats for this historic year.

For more information about the signings of Tyson Turgeon, Pat O'Leary and Andrew Long, please contact Mike Modugno, Director of Public Relations and Broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.

-GET INTO THE GAME-

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