The Kalamazoo Wings, nicknamed the K-Wings, were a professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The team played in the International Hockey League from the 1974–75 season to the 1999–2000 season. The team played in Wings Stadium and was affiliated with the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars, and the Dallas Stars.
History That team, which had named itself for its affiliation with the NHL Detroit Red Wings, changed its name during the 1995 playoffs to the Michigan K-Wings because the league wanted to raise its appeal for expanding to larger markets. The team's owner, the late R.T. Parfet, was the only small-market owner to oblige. However, concerns about larger-market teams entering the league, the league's instability, and the Dallas Stars ending their affiliation led to the Wings owners to request inactive status on April 17, 2000, and the team was dissolved.Team History, Kalamazoo Wings. Accessed February 3, 2024. "Oct 30, 1974 - The Kalamazoo Wings play their first home game in front of 4,157 fans.... Apr 17, 2000 - The Dallas Stars end their affiliation agreement with the Kalamazoo Wings, resulting in the franchise's request for inactive status in the IHL." The IHL would fold a season later before the franchise could be resurrected.
The original team colors were red, white, and blue until the end of the 1987–88 season when the owners announced that they would change colors to green, gold, black, and white to match their new NHL affiliate, the Minnesota North Stars.
On July 27, 2000, the Madison Kodiaks of the United Hockey League announced that they were moving to Kalamazoo for the 2000–01 season, and would be known as the Kalamazoo Wings. The new K-Wings also obtained the rights to use the original team's name, colors, logos, and history as their own.
Championships YearLeagueTrophy1979–1980IHLTurner Cup1978–1979IHLTurner Cup
Standings YearGPWLT/OTL*PTSGFGAPctStandings1974–1975751753539203318.26010 of 111975–1976782741106273318.4108 of 91976–19777838271389325290.5712 of 91977–19788035311484315288.5254 of 91978–19798040281292368327.5754 of 91979–1980804526999366274.6191 of 101980–198182522010114369244.7041 of 81981–1982824136589355333.5433 of 71982–1983823244676311341.4635 of 81983–1984823738783333316.5065 of 71984–1985824035789323297.5435 of 91985–19868247350100345314.6104 of 101986–1987823646080331353.4798 of 91987–19888237331286328360.5247 of 91988–1989823936785345350.5186 of 101989–19908253236112389311.6823 of 91990–19918252291105354302.6402 of 111991–19928237351084292312.5127 of 101992–19938229421169291367.42110 of 121993–19948148267103337297.6365 of 131994–199581432414100288249.6175 of 171995–19968240241898290272.5987 of 191996–1997823144769208272.42117 of 191997–1998823936779223261.51815 of 181998–19998235341383232253.50611 of 161999–20008233371278178223.47612 of 13 (*) - For 1987–1988 season Overtime Losses were tracked instead of Ties
Players
Team captains
Al Genovy, 1974-1978 Tom Ross 1979-80 Rob Plumb 1980-81 John Flesch 1984-85 Mitch Messier early 90s Brad Berry, 1995–99 Unknown, 1999–00
Team records
Retired numbers #22 Mike Wanchuk #26 Kevin Schamehorn
Single season Goals: 66 Dave Michayluk (1984–85) Assists: 113 Rob Brown (1993–94) Points: 155 Rob Brown (1993–94) Penalty minutes: 648 Kevin Evans (1986–87)
Career Career goals: 239 Mike Wanchuk and Kevin Schamehorn Career assists: 308 Brent Jarrett Career points: 475 Kevin Schamehorn Career penalty minutes: 2,176 Kevin Evans
Career games played: 495 Kevin Schamehorn (1976–90)
References
External links Kalamazoo Wings All-Time Roster Michigan K-Wings All-Time Roster