FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2024
K-WINGS FORMER ASSISTANT BEN WILSON RETURNS TO CALGARY (WHL)
Kalamazoo’s all-time K-Wing heads home to help develop professional hockey’s next generation.
KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, announced Friday that former assistant coach, video coach and team captain, Ben Wilson, has accepted an assistant coaching position with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL).
The Calgary, Alberta native returns to coach the Hitmen after playing two seasons for the team (2009-2011), winning the WHL Championship with Calgary in 2010.
“Ben Wilson is the epitome of our goal to grow from within our organization,” said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings head coach and director of hockey operations. “We are so proud of him for earning this opportunity to further his coaching career and look forward to rooting for his future successes.”
Wilson began his coaching career with Kalamazoo as a video coach after retiring from an 11-year playing career following the 2021-22 season. The former K-Wings captain (2016-2020) was then promoted to assistant before the 2023-24 season and helped guide the team to one of the best goals-against (No. 4) & penalty kill (No. 4) averages in the ECHL last season.
Ben spent nine seasons in Kalamazoo combined (playing & coaching) and ranks No. 11 all-time in franchise history for games played (377). Wilson’s pro hockey experience spans the AHL, ECHL and Romanian and UK leagues.
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Kalamazoo Wings Group Early Bird specials, Half-Season Ticket Packages, Season Ticket Packages and Business Insider Season Tickets are on sale now. More details, benefits and pricing are available by calling (269) 345-1125.
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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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