The club adds another affiliate to its development system
The Vancouver Canucks have partnered with the Kalamazoo Wings adding an ECHL team to the organization's development system. It's a one-year deal for the 2023-24 hockey season.
This will be the fourth time the K-Wings have been a Canucks affiliate dating back to 1984.
"The goal for us is to try and develop players at all levels and having a direct pipeline to the ECHL is extremely important," said Ryan Johnson, General Manager Abbotsford Canucks and Assistant to the General Manager, Vancouver Canucks. "From day one we have talked about how we want to approach the game, our professionalism, our culture and using all available resources. Teaming up with Joel Martin and his staff in Kalamazoo is another key building block in our player development process and will only help make our organization stronger."
"The K-Wings are excited to be working once again with the Vancouver Canucks and their AHL affiliate the Abbotsford Canucks," said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach. "We're thankful for the opportunity and belief that Ryan Johnson, and the entire Canucks organization, have in us. Most importantly, we look forward to providing their young prospects with everything they need to develop."
The Kalamazoo Wings are based in Kalamazoo, Michigan a city of 75,000.