Kalamazoo Wings – CanucksBanter

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

August 3, 2023

The Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the NHL Vancouver Canucks, have signed rookie defenseman Jay Keranen to a contract for the 2023-24 season.

Joel Martin

Jay Keranen is a versatile defenseman with good skating and puck-moving ability, said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach.

He comes from a great program and makes our backend stronger.

Jay Keranen

I am excited to be joining the K-Wings this upcoming season, I have heard nothing but great things, Keranen said.

Through conversations with Coach Martin and players, I’m looking forward to the culture and the opportunity to get to play in front of the K-Wings’ passionate fanbase.”
Kalamazoo Wings Press Release

History

Keranen, 25, is a 5-foot 11-inch, 183-pound, Brighton, Michigan native that turns pro with two B1G titles in hand.
In 2022-23, Keranen suited up in 40 games for the Michigan Wolverines (1g, 4a, 17 PIM, +6), and finished his career in Ann Arbor (2019-2023) with 69 games played, adding 2 goals and 2 assists from the blue line in the previous two seasons.
Prior to donning Maize and Blue, Keranen played two seasons (2017-2019 | 98gp, 1g, 12a, 64 PIM) with Prince George (BCHL), winning the BCHL championship with the Spruce Kings in 2018-19.

Source: Kalamazoo Wings Press Release

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

August 2, 2023

The Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, announced August 1 that the team has signed goaltender Hunter Vorva for the 2023-24 season.

“Hunter Vorva had an outstanding rookie season,” said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach.

“He earned every opportunity through hard work and performance. We look forward to seeing him develop further in the coming season.”

“I’m excited to be back for my second season with the K-Wings. The goal is to start off exactly where we left off last year. I’m preparing to build off of that momentum to help my teammates, and this historic organization give the best fanbase in the ECHL, a run that goes deep into next summer.” said Hunter Vorva.
Kalamazoo Wings Press Release

History

Vorva, 27, is a 5-foot 11-inch, 179-pound, Kalamazoo, Michigan native entering his second professional season.
In 2021-22, Vorva finished ranked No. 4 in the ECHL with a .919 Save Percentage (S%) and T-No. 6 with 2.61 Goals Against Average (GAA) in 28 games played (13-9-2, 1 SO) for Kalamazoo. The netminder also earned Kalamazoo’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ & ‘Star of the Game’ awards in 2022-23.
Before earning a spot on the K-Wings roster via a 2022 Training Camp Tryout Contract last season, the Marian University product sported a 1.93 GAA with a .934 S% in 32 games played (22-8-2) for the Huntsville Havoc (SPHL), earning the SPHL Goaltender of the Year nod for his performance in 2021-22.
Both Vorva’s GAA and S% numbers were tops in the SPHL that season, along with taking home a 2022 SPHL First All-Star Team selection.
Vorva also was called-up once to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) last season and played one season in the France2 League in 2020-21 with Marseille (7-4-0, 2.69 GAA, .905 S%, 1 SO).
Prior to France, Hunter was named ACHA Player of the Year in 2018-19 and holds records from his time with Marian in single-season games played (29, 2017-18), wins (20, 2017-18) with career records in S% (.928) & career SO’s (8) from 2017-20.

Source: Kalamazoo Wings