The Wings exited last season’s playoffs in the conference quarterfinals just weeks after securing the North Division title. It marked the first year in the ECHL for the Kalamazoo Wings and the team hopes to build on their surprising run.
“I think they had us ranked eighteenth or nineteenth out of 20 teams and I knew coming into it, that we had a lot of good talent and Kalamazoo has always been a winning organization,” Wings goaltender Ryan Nie said.
The Wings open the current season with six games in nine nights, including a back-to-back match up against
“We have 12 returning players on this roster and that’s pretty unheard of in the ECHL,” Bootland said. “We’ve got a great head start.”
Returning veterans Kory Karlander and Sam Ftorek were honored last Wednesday with alternate captain jerseys. Newcomer defenseman Wes O’Neill will wear the C.
O’Neill opened the season in training camp for the AHL Hershey Bears. In past seasons he played on the blue line for the Colorado Avalanche. His experience and attitude both factored into earning the captaincy so quickly.
“He’s only been here with us for three days now and he’s already taken two players aside to help them after practice,” Bootland said.
Despite being acquired by the Wings on October 18, O’Neill is excited to join the team and get back on the ice.
“I haven’t played a hockey game since April. I’m dying to get out there and dying to play meaningful hockey again,” O’Neill said.
But how well does he know his teammates?
“If you told me some guy’s first names, I wouldn’t be able to tell you yet,” O’Neill said. “But I know everybody’s nickname.”
Tonight’s game starts at 7:30 p.m. and will continue the tradition of the Orange Ice Game in honor of Halloween next weekend.
Contact the writer at Ryan.Loran@prohockeynews.com
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