K-WINGS SIGN DEFENSEMAN ANTHONY FLORENTINO, TOMMY STANG SIGNED TO PTO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2022

K-WINGS SIGN DEFENSEMAN ANTHONY FLORENTINO, TOMMY STANG SIGNED TO PTO

Kalamazoo continues to bolster defense ahead of training camp. 

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets, announced Thursday the signing of defenseman Anthony Florentino.

Kalamazoo has also announced the signing of rookie forward Tommy Stang to a PTO contract.

Florentino, 27, enters his sixth professional season and signed with Kalamazoo after playing 16 games with the Atlanta Gladiators last season. With the Gladiators, Florentino scored one goal with two assists and earned a plus-6 rating.

“Anthony brings a steady veteran presence on our back end,” said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings director of hockey operations and head coach. “He’s a fearless shot blocker and is excellent on the penalty kill.” 

The 6-foot, 207-pound, D-Man has played 178 career games with six professional teams (Atlanta, Birmingham [SPHL], Cincinnati, Kansas City, Rochester [AHL] and Worcester). Over that span, Florentino has scored 9 goals with 21 assists and 117 penalty minutes. 

“There are guys on this roster that I want to be around everyday and go to war with,” Florentino said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about Kalamazoo being first-class from past and present players, and being a part of Marty’s first group is pretty special. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”

Florentino played collegiately for Providence College from 2013-2017, winning the National Championship in 2015. The right-handed shooting defender was also drafted in the fifth-round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. 

Stang, 25, enters his second professional season, following a productive rookie campaign (13G, 14A and 48 PIM) with Quad City (SPHL). The Mendota Heights, Minnesota native stands 5-foot 11-inches and played four seasons of collegiate hockey for St. Mary’s University-Minnesota, scoring 31 goals with 36 assists and 69 penalty minutes in 87 games played.

Kalamazoo also announced that Season Ticket Holders are invited to Training Camp to get the first look at the K-Wings’ 2022-23 roster on Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9. Doors will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. It’s not too late to secure your Full Season Ticket Membership and join us. Click HERE for more information. 

The 48th season of Kalamazoo Wings hockey is set to begin with the ‘Home Opener’ on Saturday, Oct. 22 versus the Indy Fuel at 7:00 p.m. at Wings Event Center. Don’t wait to secure your Home Opener Ticket Package! Tap HERE to secure your spot NOW!

Stay tuned to future releases and social media announcements, as the K-Wings continue filling their roster up until the start of Training Camp on Oct. 7. 

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Preseason tickets are on sale for Friday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. EDT versus the Toledo Walleye at Wings Event Center. Tickets are just $6 if you purchase HERE before the day of the game. 

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The Kalamazoo Wings are a professional hockey team located in southwest Michigan that has been a staple in the Kalamazoo, MI professional sports landscape since 1974. The K-Wings compete in the ECHL and are the AA affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets and American Hockey League’s Cleveland Monsters. Kalamazoo plays their 36 regular season home games at Wings Event Center from October through April.

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