Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL, announced during a media teleconference this afternoon that they have reached an agreement to be an affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks for the upcoming 2009-2010 season.
Under the affiliation arrangements, during the 2009-10 season, Philadelphia and San Jose will assign players to Kalamazoo. With being an affiliate of the Flyers and Sharks, the K-Wings will also be associated with each team’s American Hockey League club, the Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia) and Worcester Sharks (San Jose).
“We (K-Wings) are excited and honored to be associated with two of the finest franchises in the NHL,” said Paul L. Pickard, president. “Both organizations share our core values and have our commitment for producing championship caliber teams. “
Today’s teleconference featured representation from Philadelphia and San Jose with each team expressing their excitement for their new partnership with Kalamazoo.
“We are pleased to have the Kalamazoo Wings as our ECHL affiliate and look forward to a strong working relationship with them,” said Paul Holmgren, general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers.
“The San Jose Sharks are pleased to add this quality organization as our development affiliate. The Kalamazoo Wings have a long-standing tradition of excellence in its market on and off the ice,” said Wayne Thomas, vice president and assistant general manager of the San Jose Sharks.
With reaching this agreement, it marks the sixth and seventh occasions that the K-Wings have had an NHL affiliation.
In their history, the K-Wings have been affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings (1974-1987), Philadelphia Flyers (1984-1987), Vancouver Canucks (1984-1987), Minnesota North Stars (1987-1993) and Dallas Stars (1993-2000).
The K-Wings will commence their inaugural ECHL campaign on the road Thursday, October 15th against the Reading Royals.
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.
For more information regarding the K-Wings 2009-10 NHL affiliations, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.
-www.kwings.com-
