The Vancouver Canucks' ECHL affiliate is bringing back Quinn Preston to its corps of forwards for the upcoming season.
The Kalamazoo Wings announced on Thursday they have signed forward Quinn Preston to a standard player contract (SPC) for the 2024-25 season.
The 26-year-old Trenton, MI native was acquired by the K-Wings last March in a trade with the Wichita Thunder. In 16 regular-season games with the Wings in 2023-24, he notched three goals and seven assists.
The 5-foot-11, 183-pound Preston also played 26 games for the EIHL's Belfast Giants and 18 games for Wichita last season.
With the Giants, Preston recorded 22 points (12-10-22) and 12 points (3-9-12) with the Thunder. As a rookie with Wichita in 2022-23, Preston tallied 61 points (23-38-61).
"I'm super excited to get back to Kalamazoo and play in front of our fans," Preston said following the signing. "I got a taste of it at the end of last year and can't wait to be a part of it from the start this season."
Preston played his collegiate hockey at Ohio State, where he scored 33 goals and 39 assists and amassed 116 penalty minutes over 127 games. He was also the Buckeyes' alternate captain in his final two seasons.
Wings head coach and director of hockey operations Joel Martin calls Preston "a great addition to our team," and added, "He's a big piece up the middle and plays in all situations."
Preston is no stranger to the big moments. In four Kelly Cup games last season, he scored two goals with one assist. He appeared in 13 games for the Toledo Walleye in 2021-22, including five Kelly Cup Playoff appearances, recording seven points (2-5-7).
The Wings are excited to have a clutch member of their forward corps back as they continue to round out their roster for the coming season. Training camp begins in October, with the home opener taking place October 19 against the Cincinnati Cyclones at Wings Event Center.