FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 10, 2026

K-WINGS RE-SIGN FORWARD COLIN BILEK & FORWARD AYDEN MACDONALD REUNITES

Kalamazoo re-signs forward Colin Bilek and forward Ayden MacDonald returns.

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, announced Thursday that the team has re-signed forward Colin Bilek to a Standard Player Contract (SPC) and signed forward Ayden MacDonald to an SPC for the 2026-27 season.

Bilek, 29, is a 5-foot 11-inch, 194-pound, Brighton, MI native entering his fifth professional season. In 2025-26, Bilek appeared in 71 games, finishing No. 1 in goals scored (21), No. 1 in power play goals (10) and No.5 overall in team scoring with 40 points (22g, 18a). 

“Happy to be back in Kalamazoo for one last go,” Bilek said. “Was a blast playing back home in front of the best fans in the league last year. Excited to see what this group can do.”

Bilek has played for two other ECHL teams in his career (Indy, Trois-Rivières), and amassed 129 points (59g-70a) in 180 games before his time with the K-Wings. He also suited up in three AHL games for the Manitoba Moose and the Rockford IceHogs in 2022-23. Bilek started his career with Manitoba before his assignment to the Trois-Rivières Lions (45 GP, 14g-9a) out of Army (2018-22). In Feb. 2023, Bilek’s rights were traded to Rockford, and he was subsequently assigned to Indy. 

Prior to turning pro, Bilek notched 93 points (43g-50a) in 127 games played for Army. The right-shot forward was named the Black Knights captain twice (2020-21, 2021-22), named second-team NCAA (East) All-American twice (2020-21, 2021-22), and an NCAA (AHA) All-Star twice.

MacDonald, 29, is a 6-foot 4-inch, 220-pound, Langley, BC native entering his sixth professional season and this is his second stint with the K-Wings (2022-25). MacDonald spent last season (2025-26) in Bloomington, scoring 19 points (10g, 9a) in 55 games played.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be back in a K-Wings jersey,” MacDonald said. “Getting the opportunity to come back and play at the Wings Event Center, in its final season, was one I couldn’t pass up. I’m incredibly grateful to be back and can’t wait to see all the Wings fans pack the rink, bring the energy and make this season a memorable one.”

MacDonald played in 44 games for Greenville as a rookie in 2021-22, recording 33 points (20g, 13a). He followed that with 15 points (5g, 10a) in 46 games for the Swamp Rabbits in 2022-23 before being traded to the K-Wings in March, where he tallied nine points (2g, 7a) in 12 games. MacDonald spent parts of the next two seasons (2023-25) in Kalamazoo, recording 34 points (18g, 16a) in 84 games. He then continued his career in France, where he recorded two assists (0g, 2a), before returning to the ECHL and splitting the remainder of the season between Maine (16 GP, 1g, 6a) and Allen (9 GP, 3g, 1a).

The British Columbia native suited up in 89 games in four seasons for Brock University (USports) from 2017-22, finishing his collegiate career with 24 goals, 35 assists and 134 penalty minutes.

Kalamazoo will continue releasing player signings until the start of training camp this October. Single-Game tickets and the team’s promotional schedule are slated to release in September with the Home Opener scheduled for October 30 at 7 p.m. ET versus the Toledo Walleye. 

Tickets for the 2027 Outdoor Game are on sale NOW! Click HERE to purchase tickets! The game takes place at 3:00 p.m. ET on January 31 versus the Toledo Walleye at Waldo Stadium. For everything you need to know about the 2027 Outdoor Game, including FAQs, groups and suite information - Click HERE.

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Season Tickets for 2026-27 are available NOW. Click here to join the ranks of the High Flyers and catch all the action next season with all the perks!

Flexi Tickets are on sale now! Don’t miss out on attending Kalamazoo’s premier games at a price you’ll love! 12, 24 and 36 game packs are available.

Are you a group planner at work or for the family? Save serious money on ticket packages of 10 or more, while delivering a group experience of a lifetime with the K-Wings. Plus, take advantage of more savings with our summer booking incentives NOW! 

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The Kalamazoo Wings are a professional hockey team based in southwest Michigan, having 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 its 36 regular-season home games at Wings Event Center from October through April.

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