Kalamazoo Wings
The Kalamazoo Wings are an American professional ice hockey team. They began playing in 1999. The team plays in the ECHL. They play their home games in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the Wings Event Center. They are the ECHL affiliate for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). They are also the affiliates for the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League (AHL).
| Kalamazoo Wings | |
|---|---|
| City | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
| League | ECHL |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | Central |
| Founded | 1999 (in the UHL) |
| Home arena | Wings Event Center |
| Colours | Red, white, blue |
| General manager | Toni Will |
| Head coach | Joel Martin |
| Affiliate(s) | Vancouver Canucks (NHL) Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) |
Website Official website | |
| Franchise history | |
| 1999–2000 | Madison Kodiaks |
| 2000–present | Kalamazoo Wings |
The team originally played in Madison, Wisconsin as the Madison Kodiaks from 1999 to 2000. After suffering from low attendance, the Kodiaks would relocate after only one season. They would move from Madison to Kalamazoo, Michigan.[1] The team would reveal their name as the Kalamazoo Wings. This was to honor a former ice hockey team called Kalamazoo Wings that played in the International Hockey League from 1974 until 2000.
On October 14, 2000, the team would play their first game as the Kalamazoo Wings. They would defeat the Flint Generals 2–1.[2]
On July 10, 2023, the Wings and the Vancouver Canucks announced their affiliation.[3] The Wings were formerly affiliates of the Philadelphia Flyers,[4] San Jose Sharks,[4] New York Islanders,[5] St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets,[6] and the Tampa Bay Lightning.[7]
Kalamazoo Wings Media
A road game in October 2012 vs. Toledo Walleye.
Kalamazoo Wings playing against the Chicago Express in* 2011
References
- ↑ "Team History". Kalamazoo Wings. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ↑ "2000-01 Kalamazoo Wings Results and Schedule". HockeyDB. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ↑ "K-Wings announce NHL affiliation with Vancouver Canucks". Kalamazoo Wings. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Future Flyers May Get Their Wings First". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ↑ "K-Wings affiliate with New York Islanders". MLive. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ↑ "K-Wings announce affiliation with Columbus Blue Jackets". ECHL. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ↑ "K-Wings sign affiliation deal with Tampa Bay Lightning". ECHL. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
