By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

July 10, 2023

The Kalamazoo Wings announced July 10, that the ECHL club has reached an affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks and American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks for the 2023-24 season.

Affiliation Important To Canucks

“Securing a full-time ECHL affiliation is something we have wanted to do for our players and the Abbotsford Canucks,” said Patrik Allvin, Vancouver Canucks General Manager.

 “Giving our guys every opportunity to grow, improve, and succeed on the ice is extremely important to the hockey club. Having this agreement with Kalamazoo gives our team and our development staff another touchpoint in the long, hard journey to becoming a pro hockey player.”

Canucks Press Release

Kalamazoo Excited For ECHL Affiliation

“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 (Abbotsford Canucks General Manager and Vancouver Canucks Assistant to the General Manager), and the entire Canucks organization, have in us.

Most importantly, we look forward to providing their young prospects with everything they need to develop.” 

Kalamazoo Press Release

Direct Pipeline To ECHL Extremely Important For Canucks

“The goal for us is to try and develop players at all levels and having a direct pipeline to the ECHL is extremely important,” Johnson said. 

“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.”

Canucks Press Release

Highlights

• The agreement marks the fourth time in franchise history the K-Wings have aligned with the Canucks. Kalamazoo and Vancouver first partnered from 1984 thru 1987, again from 2011 thru 2015, and most recently from 2017 thru 2021. 
• The K-Wings originally played in the IHL from 1974 through 1999 before joining the United Hockey League (UHL) from 2000 to 2006. The team then entered the newly re-established IHL from 2007 to 2009 before most recently joining the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) to start the 2009.10 season. 
• Throughout their ECHL affiliate history with the Vancouver Canucks, Kalamazoo won two North Division Championships (2012 & 2014) and made four of six possible playoff appearances.
• Kalamazoo will continue to play in the Western Conference’s Central Division in the upcoming 2023.24 season. The ECHL is comprised of 28 teams evenly spread out across four divisions (Central, Mountain, North, South) and two conferences (Eastern, Western).
• Notable players to ascend to the Canucks via previous affiliation between the two clubs include Darren Archibald, Alex Friesen, Alexandre Grenier, Evan McEneny and Yann Sauvé.
• Throughout the K-Wings’ 49-year history, the team has been affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings (1974-1987), Philadelphia Flyers (1984-1987; 2009-2010), Vancouver Canucks (1984-1987; 2011-2015; 2017-2021), Minnesota North Stars (1987-1993), Dallas Stars (1993-2000), San Jose Sharks (2009-2010), New York Islanders (2010-2011), New Jersey Devils (2011-2012), St. Louis Blues (2013-2014), Tampa Bay Lightning (2016-2017), and Columbus Blue Jackets (2014-2016; 2021-2023).
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the K-Wings suspended play for the entire 2020.21 ECHL season.

Source: nhl.com, echl.com, theahl.com