Photo Courtesy of the Kalamazoo Wings The Kalamazoo Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/k-wings-and-cyclones-to-swap-home-games-in-february]made a couple of announcements late this week. The team announced Friday that assistant coach Jon Elliott has accepted an assistant coaching role with Air Force Academy. Elliott came to Kalamazoo last summer after two years with Miami University as director of hockey operations in 2022-23 and an assistant coach in 2023-24. Elliott expressed his gratitude to the entire K-Wings organization for his time there. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Bill Johnston and Ronda Stryker, Joel Martin, K-Wings hockey operations staff, GM Toni Will, K-Wings front office staff, and the incredible fans in Kalamazoo for an unforgettable year,” Elliott said in a statement. “Your unwavering support and dedication made this past season a truly rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this organization and community - thank you for making it feel like home.” Before his time with the RedHawks, the Bloomfield Hills, Mich. native spent four seasons as an assistant coach for NCAA [https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa/]Division III Saint Mary’s University. “It was an honor to work with and watch Jon grow this past season,” Martin said. “We wish him the best of luck in his new role.” Before coaching, Elliott played four seasons (2012-2016) at Saint Mary’s University. The club also announced the re-signing of forward Quinn Preston for the 2025-26 season. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound Trenton, Mich. native was originally acquired via trade from the Wichita Thunder [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/community/latest-news/kansas-native-returns-to-wichita]on March 5, 2024. He played 16 regular-season games and tallied 10 points (3-7-10) with Kalamazoo to close the 2023-24 campaign. Preston re-signed last off-season before delivering a strong 2024-25 season for the K-Wings. In 63 games, he recorded 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points, along with five power-play goals and two game-winning goals. Preston was also named the Warrior/ECHL Player of the Week [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/players/kalamazoo-wings-forward-earns-player-of-the-week-award]for his performance last January, notching the K-Wings' first five-assist game in almost 20 seasons versus the Bloomington Bison [https://thehockeynews.com/echl/latest-news/bison-ink-first-defenseman-for-upcoming-season]on Jan. 26.
