FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2026

K-WINGS SNAG ROOKIES: FORWARD MARK HILLIER & DEFENSEMAN EVAN ORR

Kalamazoo continues to add collegiate leadership to the team with former NCAA Division I captains Mark Hillier and Evan Orr. 

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Wings, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, announced Wednesday that the team has signed rookie forward Mark Hillier to a Standard Player Contract (SPC) and rookie defenseman Evan Orr to a Player Tryout Agreement (PTO) for the 2026-27 season.

Hillier, 24, is a 6-foot 1-inch, 181-pound, Labrador City, NL native entering his first season of professional hockey. In 2025-26, the left-shot forward captained Merrimack College (NCAA) while appearing in 37 games (6g, 4a, +4), leading his school to its first NCAA (Hockey East) Championship. 

“I couldn’t be more excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the K-Wings this season,” Hillier said. “I’ve heard great things about the organization and the fans in Kalamazoo, and I’m looking forward to sharing the atmosphere and energy with my teammates at every game.”

Hillier played in 114 games (11g, 22a) in three seasons (2021-24) at Merrimack. The forward was named captain for his senior season (2025-26), going in the books as the most successful team in Merrimack College history (21-15-1). Before college, Hillier put up 26 points (13g, 13a) in 18 games, and 7 points (3g, 4a) in five playoff appearances, for the Summerside Western Capitals of the MJAHL. 

Orr, 25, is a 5-foot-11-inch, 185-pound, Shelby Township, MI native entering his first professional season. In 2025-26, the left-handed defenseman was named captain of Stonehill College (NCAA), playing in 35 games (5g, 13a) before appearing in 14 games for the Atlanta Gladiators to round out last season. 

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to come to Kalamazoo,” Orr said. “It’s a city with a great hockey history and an even better environment to play in. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started.” 

Prior to last season, Orr saw time in 34 games (2024-25) at Stonehill, amassing 15 points (8g, 7a, 18 PIM) as an alternate captain. The defender spent his first two collegiate seasons (2022-24) at Michigan Tech (NCAA) with 42 games played and 8 total points (3g, 5a). His team won the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Championship (CCHA) in 2023-24, before transferring to Stonehill. Orr played four seasons (2018-22) of juniors across the NAHL, USHL and BCHL with 2021-22 being his most productive season, lacing up in 59 games and scoring 34 points combined (9g, 34a, 108 PIM, +18) and 5 playoff appearances (1g, 3a, 2 PIM, +2) split between the NAHL’s Odessa Jackalopes and Northeast Generals. 

The Home Opener, presented by Bronson, is scheduled for October 30 at 7 p.m. ET versus the Toledo Walleye at Wings Event Center. This matches the date of the K-Wings' very first home opener in 1974. The game is already trending toward max capacity. Click here to select your seats now for the Home Opener!

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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Single game tickets for the 2026-27 season are on sale now. Click here to view the entire season’s promotional schedule and don’t miss a minute of action!

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! 

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!

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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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