Raw Charge · Oct 17, 2016
Get to know the Kalamazoo Wings
With the exception of a few free agent signings, the summer was pretty quiet for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Off the ice there was one significant organizational. In May, the team announced that the Kalamazoo Wings would be their new East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) affiliate. The K-Wings join the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL as the organization's official affiliates.
Formerly aligned with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Wings were looking to partner with a new NHL franchise. The Lightning, having dissolved their relationship with Florida Everblades in 2015, were searching for a team to help develop some of their prospects outside of the AHL. Thus, it was a perfect match.