Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL and affiliate of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, announced they have reached an agreement to be an affiliate of the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders for the upcoming 2010-2011 season.

Under the affiliation arrangement, during the 2010-11 season, New York will assign players to Kalamazoo.  With being an affiliate of the Islanders, the K-Wings will also be associated with the Islanders American Hockey League club, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

"We (K-Wings) are excited about being the ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders," said Paul L. Pickard, president. “The Islander organization is full of young and talented prospects that will bring energy and a strong work ethic to the K-Wings organization. As part of the Islander family, we will do our part to help them be successful both on and off the ice.”

Established in 1972, the Islanders have become one of the most storied organizations in all of sports. Even more astonishing than their four Stanley Cups is that the Islanders captured their championships in four consecutive seasons (1980-1983) and are one of just nine dynasties recognized in NHL history.  Increasing their impact to the sport, eight former Islanders’ players have been inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

“Having a strong ECHL affiliate is crucial to our organization’s future,” said Garth Snow, Islanders general manager. “The Kalamazoo Wings have a rich history, and I’m confident that they’ll provide the necessary resources to properly develop our prospects and provide a stepping stone to the AHL and NHL.”

With reaching this agreement, it marks the eighth occasion 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; 2009-2010), Vancouver Canucks (1984-1987), Minnesota North Stars (1987-1993), Dallas Stars (1993-2000) and San Jose Sharks (2009-present).

The K-Wings will commence their 37th season of professional hockey and second in the ECHL on the road Saturday, October 16th against the South Carolina Stingrays.

Kalamazoo will open up the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 23rd versus the defending Kelly Cup champion Cincinnati Cyclones with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium during the 7th annual Halloween Orange Ice “Trick-or-Treat” game.

Season tickets for the upcoming 2010-2011 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 affiliation with the New York Islanders, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.

 

 

                                                           -www.kwings.com-

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                         

 

 

                                        

 

                                                              

 

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