Kalamazoo adds speed and high energy with the signing of forward Chase Pletzke.
The Kalamazoo Wings added some speed up front, signing rookie forward Chase Pletzke to a Standard Player Contract (SPC) for the 2024-25 ECHL season.
The 24-year-old left-handed shooter spent last season as a graduate student at Michigan, scoring a goal with one assist in 30 games as the Wolverines reached the NCAA Frozen Four. That lone assist came during a 2-1 Wolverine victory over No. 6-ranked Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal.
The 5-foot-11, 174-pound native of Bay City, MI is excited to start his pro career in his home state.
“I’m pumped to begin my first-year pro with a talented group and amazing coaching staff,” Pletzke said following the announcement. “I'm so fortunate to do it in Kalamazoo in front of the great fans at Wings Event Center.”
Before transferring to Michigan, Pletzke played four seasons at Miami University (of Ohio) from 2019-23, collecting 24 points (15-9-24) and 36 penalty minutes in 100 games for the RedHawks. He was named Academic All-NCHC all four seasons at Miami and earned NCHC Rookie of the Week on Jan. 13, 2020.
Pletzke played junior hockey with the Oakland Junior Grizzlies for two seasons before moving to the Lone Star Brahmas of the NAHL. He then spent time in Canada with the Langley Rivermen of the BCHL.
While scoring isn’t his biggest weapon, Pletzke does bring high energy and other attributes that will serve him well with the K-Wings.
“Chase Pletzke comes from a great program,” Wings head coach and director of hockey operations Joel Martin said. “He is a two-way player and his biggest strength is his speed.”