ECHL Kalamazoo Wings

Wings Stadium to Offer Private Hockey Lessons

October 11, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kalamazoo Wings News Release


Kalamazoo, MI- Wings Stadium, which is also home to "The Annex" and "The Cube", announces that the complex is now offering private hockey lessons for all age groups.

The lessons will give players of all levels the opportunity to get one-on-one instruction for some of the best teachers in the area.

Instructors for the lessons will be Marc Fakler, Brian Tulik, Jeff Remelius, Matt Kakabeeke, Matt Staehely and Tom Askey.

Lessons will range from $40-$55 for a 30-minute session and rate are based on instructor chosen. Group rates are also available. Lesson times will be based on open ice times and determined by coach and student availability.

The following is a closer look at the instructors:

Fakler is the Head Coach/General Manager of the Jr. K-Wings. Marc has served as an assistant coach at Western Michigan University from 2006-10. His responsibilities included working with Bronco defensemen in addition to his responsibilities of recruiting, scouting, video breakdown, and practice and game preparation. Marc was an assistant coach at Robert Morris University from 2004-06, and as a volunteer assistant coach at Wayne State University from2002-04. Other coaching stops for Fakler include two seasons as assistant general manager/assistant coach for the Junior A Compuware Ambassadors of the NAHL and assistant coach for the Junior B Grand Rapids Owls.

Tulik is currently the Director of Coaching for KOHA (Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association). Brian served as an Assistant Coach for the Gaylord Grizzlies and the Grand Rapids Bear Cats of the NAHL from 1997-99. An Assistant Coach with the Michigan K-Wings from 1994-96, Tulik played at Western Michigan University from 1988-92. Brian was the Captain of the Broncos his Junior and Senior year.

Remelius has coached all levels Mites - Midgets for the past 15 years. Currently, Jeff has been coaching with KOHA the past 3 seasons. He enjoys teaching the game and specializes in working with defensemen. Remelius began his coaching career with the Florida Jr. Panthers. Jeff's playing career includes two seasons with the Las Vegas Aces, one season with Amherstburg, and a season of juniors in the NAHL.

Kakabeeke has over twenty years of coaching experience . Currently, Kakabeeke is the head coach of Kalamazoo United and in 2010 was Coach of the Year in the SWMHSHL. Prior to joining the staff of the United, Matt coached the Western Michigan University Stallions Club Hockey team of the ACHA from 2005-07. Matt spent ten seasons coaching youth hockey from the learn-to-skate program to travel hockey for KOHA. As the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP) Associate Coach In Chief for the Michigan District, Matt possesses a Level 5 (Masters) Coaching Certification

Staehely is entering his second season as an assistant coach with the Jr. K-Wings. His duties include instructing defensemen, video breakdown, recruiting, practice planning, and coordinating equipment operations. Matt was the head coach of the Ohio University Bobcats ACHA Division II team from 2010-11. Staehely played four years of collegiate hockey at St. Mary's (MN) University and played junior hockey in the NAHL for the Springfield Jr. Blues, Springfield Spirit, and Wasilla Spirit, and in the USHL for the Omaha Lancers.

Askey played four seasons in the Central College Hockey Association as a member of The Ohio State Buckeyes. In 1993, Tom was drafted in the 8th round by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Askey spent three seasons playing in Europe (Finland, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Kingdom) and was a member of the Kalamazoo Wings in 2006-2007.

For more information about the private hockey lessons, contact Chris Wang at (269) 345-2277 or at cwang@wingsstadium.com.

Stadium Management Company owns the Wings Stadium Complex, the Kalamazoo Wings hockey team, Wings West and the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings hockey team. The Wings Stadium Complex is comprised of three buildings; Wings Stadium seats more than 5,100 fans for K-Wings home games and more than 6,000 people for concerts and other stage events. The Annex seats 1,367 for ice events and can hold up to 2,850 for non-ice events such as car, boat, and trade shows. The Cube plays host to both ice and non-ice events. Wings West is comprised of two ice sheets plus Old Burdick's Restaurant at Wings West. The Borgess Ice Rink can accommodate more than 1,200 fans for Jr. K-Wings games. The Olympic Rink plays host to both ice and non-ice events. Both facilities are available for rental and feature numerous catering and meeting opportunities.

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