FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 28, 2023

K-WINGS RE-SIGN ROOKIE FORWARDS PILON & SPELLACY

2022-23 end-of-season additions return to Kalamazoo.

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, announced Thursday that forwards Drake Pilon and Aidan Spellacy have signed a Standard Player Contract for the 2023-24 season.

Pilon, 24, is a Sault Ste. Marie, ON native who made his professional debut for Kalamazoo last March. He appeared in seven games for the K-Wings to finish the 2022-23 season.

“Drake Pilon is a hard-working, gritty forward,” said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings director of hockey operations and head coach. “He goes to the tough areas and finishes every check.”

Prior to joining the K-Wings, the 5-foot 10-inch, 187-pound forward played collegiately at the University of Prince Edward Island from 2019 thru 2023. Pilon appeared in 63 games across a trio of seasons for UPEI, helping lead the Panthers to the USports playoffs in all three campaigns. His final year in Charlottetown saw career-highs in games played (29), goals (12), assists (7), and PIMs (62). 

Pilon’s resume also includes a 2015-16 NOJHL championship with the Soo Thunderbirds.

“As the date gets closer, coming back to Kalamazoo has me excited,” Pilon said. “I’m ready to come out this year with something to prove and take the next step in my game.”

Spellacy, 25, remains in Kalamazoo after wrapping up the 2022-23 campaign with the K-Wings. The left-handed shooting forward appeared in six games for the club last season. 

“Aidan Spellacy plays with great pace,” said Martin. “He stepped in at center for us last year and did a great job.” 

2023-24 will be the Lakewood, OH native’s first full professional season. Spellacy spent the bulk of 2022-23 finishing his graduate year with St. Cloud State (35 GP, 4g, 8a, 11 PIM, +9), helping lead the Huskies to an NCHC Tournament title and the program’s third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The forward recorded an assist and was +2 in SCSU’s’ playoff win against Minnesota State. 

“I’m excited to be back with the K-Wings and playing in front of the great fans in Kalamazoo,” Spellacy said. “The finish to last season was fun, and I look forward to getting started.”

Prior to joining St. Cloud State in 2021, the 6-foot, 195-pounder, spent three seasons with Robert Morris University.  Spellacy played in a total of 145 games during his collegiate career and totaled 20 goals, 26 assists, and 68 PIMs across five NCAA seasons. He earned the title of alternate captain at RMU in 2020-21 and again with SCSU in 2022-23. 

Kalamazoo’s ‘Home Opener’ kicks off the 2023-24 regular season on Saturday, October 21 versus Toledo Walleye at 7:00 p.m. EST at Wings Event Center. Tickets to the preseason, the Home Opener and each of the K-Wings’s 36-game home schedule can be purchased HERE.

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Last season, over 25 thousand people enjoyed a K-Wings game on a Group Outing! And with the season just a few months away, spots are filling up fast for 2023-24. Click HERE to lock in your group NOW!

It’s also not too early to secure 2023-24 K-Wings season tickets. Enjoy exclusive benefits, including guaranteed seat location to all 36 home games, complimentary parking, early access to the arena and more. Click HERE to join the ranks of the K-Wings High Flyers today.

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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 Vancouver Canucks and the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks. Kalamazoo plays their 36 regular season home games at Wings Event Center from October through April.

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