Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL and affiliate of the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, announce the signings of forwards Kory Karlander, Sam Ftorek (fah-TORE-ick) and defenseman Jon Landry; per team policy, the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.
After spending the past two seasons with the Odessa Jackalopes of the Central Hockey League, Karlander returns to Kalamazoo, where he has played five of his previous 15 professional seasons.
Over the past two seasons, Karlander averaged nearly a point-a-night in the CHL earning 126 points (52 goals, 74 assists) in 128 games.
Karlander has a unique status as the only K-Wings player to represent the organization in every league Kalamazoo has participated in, including the original IHL.
Assistant captain his last three seasons in Kalamazoo, Karlander played a pivotal role along side then captain and current director of hockey operations and head coach, Nick Bootland in guiding the K-Wings to their 2005-06 Colonial Cup championship, the team’s third title in the organization’s history.
“Kory brings leadership, championship experience and understands what we want to accomplish here in Kalamazoo,” said Bootland. “He continues to be a premiere face-off specialist and helps teams even-strength or on special teams”.
A consistent performer during the 2006-07 campaign, Karlander was one of five K-Wings selected to the starting lineup for the 2006 United Hockey League All-Star Game. Karlander rung in the New Year going on an 11-game goal and point streak from 12/31/06-01/26/07. That goal streak was both a season high for the K-Wings and UHL.
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.
Similar to Karlander, Ftorek returns to Kalamazoo with a rich hockey resume. The 13-year veteran captained the K-Wings a season ago and help guide the club to a North Division crown.
Doing whatever it takes to succeed; Ftorek has seen time at both forward and defense. The native of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire racked up 59 points (26 goals, 33 assists) in 70 games last season.
“There is no doubt Sam leads by example,” said Bootland. “A student of the game, he continues to find ways to improve himself and everyone around him.”
A clutch performer, especially at Wings Stadium, Ftorek was awarded the Otten Trophies Star of the Year award, given to the K-Wings player, who has earned the most Otten Trophy Star of the Game mugs during the season.
Two seasons ago, while in the CHL with the Amarillo Gorillas, Ftorek was primarily used as a defenseman and enjoyed his best season as a professional recording 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists) for the Gorillas.
During the season, Ftorek went on three-point streaks of five games or more and finished the regular season with a scorching ten-game point streak 03/07/10-03/27/10 and a season-high five-game goal streak from 03/19/10-03/27/10.
A staple in the ECHL, Ftorek has spent half of his career in the Premiere ‘AA’ Hockey League.
In his career, Ftorek has registered 484 points (209 goals, 275 assists) in 711 games and has played in the American Hockey League and the top leagues in Europe.
Coming from an excellent pedigree, Ftorek is the son of Robbie Ftorek, who played eight seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings (2), Quebec Nordiques (3) and New York Rangers (3). The elder Ftorek also possesses an impressive coaching resume with 21 years experience, 10 of which was in the NHL.
A four-year pro, Landry anchored the K-Wings defense after joining the team in January after beginning the year in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones and Ontario Reign. Landry also spent one game in the American Hockey League with the Rochester Americans.
Familiar with the ECHL, Landry has played a part of all three of his professional seasons in the ECHL. Landry has also seen time in the AHL, playing 21 games two seasons ago with the Syracuse Crunch.
“Last year, Jon came in and gave our offense a spark,” said Bootland. “Down the stretch, he played through pain and helped stabilize our blue line.”
In 41 games with Kalamazoo, Landry recorded 23 points (7 goals, 16 assists) and saw action in all five playoff games, while exhibiting his toughness by playing the final four weeks of the season with a broken foot.
The additions of Karlander, Ftorek and Landry gives the K-Wings seven players signed for the upcoming 2010-11season, which will commence on the road Saturday, October 16th against the South Carolina Stingrays. Also signed for next season are forwards Patrick Asselin (as-LYNN), Trent Daavettila (daav-UH-till-uh), Andrew Fournier (four-KNEE-ay) and Anton Kharin (hah-REEN).
Kalamazoo will open up the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 23rd versus the defending Kelly Cup champion’s, the Cincinnati Cyclones with a 7:30 p.m. face-off at Wings Stadium during the 7th annual Orange Ice game.
Season tickets for the upcoming 2010-2011 season are on sale at the Wings Stadium Ticket Office. Ticket Office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information about tickets, give the Wings Stadium Ticket Office a call during regular business hours at (269) 345-5101.
For more information about the signings of Kory Karlander, Sam Ftorek and Jon Landry, please contact Mike Modugno, director of public relations and broadcaster at (269) 349-9772, extension 220.
-www.kwings.com-
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