Kalamazoo, MI-The Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, added forward Jimmy Lodge and defenseman Tyler Ganly the club announced on Tuesday.
Both players join the K-Wings after concluding NHL entry-level contracts. Lodge, a third round pick of the Winnipeg Jets, joins the K-Wings after recording 49 points (17g, 32a) in 57 games with the Jacksonville IceMen last season.
“Lodge is a top-six forward who plays a full 200 foot game,” said head coach Nick Bootland. “He’s a guy we’re going to utilize in all situations and he has a real knack for finding the net.”
A fourth year pro, Lodge has appeared in 184 professional games with the bulk of those coming as a member of the Manitoba Moose, AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets.
“I was talking with a bunch of teams but after talking with Coach Bootland I just felt Kalamazoo was the best place for me to further my career,” said Lodge. “I bring an offensive game. Whether it’s as a playmaker or through my shot I like to use my speed and create opportunities.”
Ganly, 23, spent the majority of last season split between the Florida Everblades and Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The defenseman netted 14 points (4g, 10a) in 31 games to go along with a plus ten rating.
“Tyler’s had a healthy summer, and he’s put in a lot of off-ice work,” said Bootland. “He’s a great shut-down defender. He’s a guy that will always make a smart and solid first pass, and is always working to improve his offensive side of the game.”
A sixth round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013 (156th overall), Ganly joins the K-Wings with 85 professional games under his belt, including 37 in the AHL.
“Right away from the first moment it just seemed like the place for me,” said Ganly. “This is a fresh start for me. The style of play in Kalamazoo really fits me and I’m excited for what’s to come this season.”
Lodge and Ganly are the ninth and tenth players signed for the upcoming season.
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