TOUTED ASSISTANTS; MICHIGAN TIES BRING McCREARY & ELLIOTT TO KALAMAZOO

K-Wings two new assistant coaches ready to help raise the bar in Kalamazoo.

By Pam Shebest for K-Wings.com

KALAMAZOO, MI –  For the Kalamazoo Wings two new assistant coaches, returning to Michigan was a no-brainer.

Both Billy McCreary and Jonathon Elliott were raised in Michigan, McCreary in Brighton and Elliott in Bloomfield Hills.

They also have connections to Kalamazoo.

McCreary’s dad, Bill, played most of his hockey career with the IHL Milwaukee Admirals in the mid-1980s and made many trips to Wings Stadium to take on the K-Wings.

“The timing worked out with me and my family, so it seemed like a no-brainer to be a part of something special here,” McCreary said.

Elliott spent two years with Miami University (Ohio) and traveled twice a year to Kalamazoo when the team played Western Michigan University.

“We would stay downtown, so I explored a little,” Elliott said. “Being from the Detroit area, a lot of family went to school at both WMU and Kalamazoo College. I’m exploring (Kalamazoo) now.”

His other Michigan connection is his dad, Jon Elliott, who was a goalie for University of Michigan in the mid-1980s.

K-Wings head coach Joel Martin said he had numerous applicants for the assistants’ jobs.

“I had a lot of people reach out on behalf of both of them, which is always a good sign,” Martin said. “Digging in and doing my research from other people that might know them as well. They both had great reviews.

“Selling them on the opportunity to be here and be a part of this great organization with the history that we have here, the ownership we have, I think was something that was really appealing to them.”

McCreary came to the K-Wings from Danbury, Conn., where he was president/director of the Junior Hat Tricks (North American Hockey League) for two seasons, before becoming head coach/general manager of the Hat Tricks (Federal Prospects Hockey League).

Two years ago, McCreary coached the Hat Tricks to the FPHL championship.

“We had really talented players but the character was through the roof,” he said. “We didn’t have anybody in that locker room that was in it for themselves. They were in it for the person next to them.”

He said he hopes to bring the same type of leadership to the K-Wings. 

“You really see that here in Kalamazoo right from Day One. Everybody’s working for each other. It’s a tremendous environment from the front office to the coaching staff.”

McCreary said he is familiar with the ECHL rivalry between the K-Wings and then-Danbury Trashers but stressed, with a smile, that was before his time there.

During his playing career, McCreary made another Kalamazoo connection. He played for the Huntsville Havoc with former K-Wing Glenn Detulleo, winning the SPHL championship in the 2009-10 season.

“I saw Glenn on vacation and he brought Billy’s name up,” Martin said. “He spoke very highly about him.”

Besides hockey, the name William is also a McCreary tradition.

His grandfather, also Bill McCreary, played his final four years with the NHL St. Louis Blues after several years in the minors.

There is also a fourth William McCreary, the assistant’s 10-month-old son. He and his wife, Lee, also have a daughter Aila who is 3 1/2.

McCreary played forward most of his life, switching to defense the final seven years, “So I got to experience both sides of the puck,” he said.

While playing, McCreary was an assistant captain or player-assistant coach, preparing him for a leadership role.

“Once I was done playing, I was offered a high school coaching job and it seemed like a natural fit for me,” he said. “It was a challenge, but I really enjoyed it. 

“I have such a tremendous passion for helping players of all ages reaching their dreams and climbing the ladder and enjoying the game at a higher level than I was able ever to enjoy it. I’m very blessed to still be here today so I like to continue putting that passion into my teaching.”

From college to the pros

Many players make the transition from college to the pros on the ice, but Elliott took a different path.

After playing college hockey at St. Mary’s University (Division III), he went back as an assistant coach for four years. 

Two years ago, he was hired as director of hockey operations at Miami University then moved to assistant coach last season.

That college connection is one perk for Martin.

“He didn’t have the easy path,” Martin said. “He started out in Division III, worked his way up to Division 1 hockey. That speaks volumes.

“Coming from the college environment and recruiting, he knows the college landscape as well as anyone else.”

Now Elliott is moving from the college ranks to the pros, bringing with him Carter, his Labrador/terrier mix companion of 10 years.

“He’s moved around everywhere with me,” Elliott said of Carter. “He’s a trooper. He keeps me sane when I’m not at the rink.”

Elliott said he is a relationship type of guy.

“I think that’s ultra important as you’re dealing with these guys,” he said. “I bring an understanding because I’ve been in these guys' shoes to some degree, going through college, coming out of college and what’s next.”

Working with the K-Wings, Elliott said he will always be open to listening to the players.

“At the end of the day, for me, it’s not a hierarchy, it’s a two-way street with my players,” he said. “I’m not a guy who says this is how it is.

“We’ll talk about it; they’ll have a voice. Doesn’t mean their voice is what we go with all the time. As a staff, we’ll come together and make those decisions. It’s ultra-important that these guys are going to have a voice and they’re going to get honesty from me.”

With opening day kicking off the K-Wings' 50th season, “I’m excited to be in Kalamazoo,” Elliott said. “I’m excited for the 50th. I think it’s an awesome opportunity for both our staff, the people of this city, the players.”

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Kalamazoo’s ‘Home Opener’ kicks off the 2024-25 regular season on Saturday, October 19 versus the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:00 p.m. EST at Wings Event Center. Kalamazoo is also looking to set another Guinness World Record during the Home Opener on Oct. 19. CLICK HERE to be a part of history.

Kalamazoo Wings Group Specials, 5-Pack, 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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