IHL 2 Kalamazoo Wings

Wings bring back experience

Published on August 17, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud members of the United Hockey League, announce the signings of forwards Kory Karlander and Tim Turner for the upcoming 2005-2006 season. Per team policy, the terms of the contracts will remain undisclosed.

Karlander, 33, has played a majority of the past two seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 2005-06 season will be Karlander's first full season with the K-Wings. Karlander joined Kalamazoo for the latter part of the 2004-05 regular season.

"Having Kory for a full season will truly help our team," said Vice President/General Manager Paul L. Pickard. "He (Karlander) is a talented player that can create scoring chances on the ice."

Last season wasn't Karlander's first time playing in Kalamazoo, as the native of Melita, Manitoba called Wings Stadium home for 39 games during the 1999-00 season, when he played with the Michigan K-Wings (IHL).

Besides having experience playing at Wings Stadium, Karlander also has a lot of experience playing for Head Coach Mark Reeds. Karlander played for Reeds during the 1998-99 season, when Reeds coached the Peoria Rivermen (ECHL).

The veteran forward's most productive year as a professional was during the 97-98 season, when he tallied a combined 81 points (33 goals, 48 assists) in 66 games for the Raleigh Icecaps (ECHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals (IHL).

In addition to playing in North America, Kory has also played two seasons of hockey in the British International Super League with the Belfast Giants. While in Belfast during the 2002-03 season, Karlander led the Giants to the league championship. In 29 games, Karlander compiled 22 points in the regular season. During the playoffs, Kory proved to be unstoppable, amassing 24 points in just 18 games to lead his team to the title and earn the league's post season scoring title. Karlander played college hockey at Northern Michigan University.

The K-Wings continue to add to their offense with the addition of Tim Turner. The 2005-06 season will be Turner's third season with the K-Wings.

In his first two seasons in Kalamazoo, Turner, 26, has had many memorable moments as a K-Wing.

During the 2003-04 season, Turner set the K-Wings UHL record for points in a game with 6 (2 goals, 4 assists) in the K-Wings 10-1 victory over Missouri back on March 5, 2004. Tim's rookie campaign was filled with multi-game scoring streaks, including a personal season high of six games (2/29/04-3/17/04). Turner finished the 03-04 season registering an astonishing 52 points, which placed him fourth among all rookies in the United Hockey League. The native of Saginaw, Michigan also proved himself as a clutch performer, as Turner led all rookies with four game winning goals.

Last season, Turner continued his development as a player by scoring a career-high 24 goals, which placed him second on the K-Wings in that category. Turner had another memorable moment on October 29, 2004 when he recorded his first professional hat trick in the McMorran Place Arena against the Port Huron Beacons.

"Tim has improved as a player every year he has been here," said Pickard. "We (K-Wings) are looking for him (Turner) to continue to improve as a goal scorer."

Before turning pro, Turner played two seasons of Junior "A" hockey with the Rochester Mustangs (USHL) and four seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (NCAA), where he ended his college career as the Minutemen's team captain.

The signings of Kory Karlander and Tim Turner give the K-Wings twelve 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 Karlander and Turner the K-Wings have signed forwards Nick Bootland, Mike Manley, Tyler Rennette, Tyler Willis, and Joe Seroski earlier this off-season. Also signed for next season are defensemen Josh Elzinga, Adam Elzinga, Greg Labenski, and Daniel Carriere and goaltender Joel Martin.

Season Tickets for the 2005-06 season 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.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 17, 2005


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