ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Ryan Nie Returns To Kalamazoo

August 18, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL and affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, announce they have agreed to terms with goaltender Ryan Nie for the upcoming 2009-10 season; per team policy, the terms of the contract will be undisclosed.

Donning his familiar number 34 jersey in front of 115 people at today's press conference at Culver's on South Westnedge, Nie returned to the K-Wings.

A three-year pro, Nie had a memorable rookie campaign in Kalamazoo, in which he helped guide the K-Wings to within one game of capturing their second consecutive United Hockey League Colonial Cup championship.

After the 2006-07 season in Kalamazoo, Nie has spent the past two seasons in the ECHL compiling a record of 51-25-6.

"We (K-Wings) have a proud tradition of solidifying strong goaltenders and that continues with signing Ryan (Nie)," said Wade Welsh, vice president/general manager. "He's a difference maker between the pipes and has the ability to steal games."

Nie has been stellar between the pipes recording a goals against average of 2.65, a save percentage of 0.906 and has racked up a record of 71-33-10 in 125 career games.

Nie will have the opportunity to showcase his talents next month, as he participates in the NHL training camp of the San Jose Sharks.

Besides reuniting with head coach Nick Bootland, who was captain the last time Nie was in Kalamazoo, the native of Nanticoke, Ontario will have one other familiar face in the locker room. In juniors, Nie was a member of the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers and was a teammate of Andrew Fournier, who signed with the K-Wings earlier this off-season.

The addition of Nie gives the K-Wings nine players signed for the upcoming 2009-10 season, which will commence on the road Thursday, October 15th against the Reading Royals. Also signed for next season are forwards Rick Cleaver, Trent Daavettila, Andrew Fournier, Bryan Jurynec and Anton Kharin, as well as defensemen Devin Featherstone, Sam Ftorek and Jon Landry.

Kalamazoo will open up the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 24th versus Reading with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2009-2010 season of K-Wings hockey are currently on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office during their regular business hours of 9 a.m.-4p.m. or by calling (269) 345-5101. Fans can save 15% on their season tickets by paying for their seats in full by October 1st.

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ECHL Stories from August 18, 2009


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