Canucks make an important announcement on their minor league affiliate

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Cooper Godin
July 30, 2024 (10:20)

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The Vancouver Canucks have announced a contract extension with one of their minor league affiliates.

In a post on social media on Tuesday morning, it was announced that the Vancouver Canucks have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with the Kalamazoo Wings to remain as their ECHL affiliate until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Abbotsford Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson commented on the news, saying that the entire Canucks organization is excited to extend their agreement with the Kalamazoo Wings, giving their prospects another option to be developed within their system.

"We are thrilled to extend our affiliation with Kalamazoo," said Ryan Johnson, Abbotsford Canucks general manager / Vancouver Canucks assistant general manager. "The working relationship we have established has given our organization depth and stability, while providing our prospects with great opportunities to develop. We look forward to continuing that relationship for the next two seasons."

Last summer, the Vancouver Canucks and Kalamazoo Wings signed a deal for the 2023-24 season and were looking to extend that into a multi-year deal, which happened on Tuesday.

"We are excited to extend our relationship with the Vancouver Canucks and Abbotsford Canucks for the next two seasons," said Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings director of hockey operations and head coach. "Our values and commitment to develop players in a winning environment are aligned."

The Canucks and Wings have been affiliated on four separate stints now - 1984 to 1987, 2011 to 2015, 2017 to 2021 and 2023 to present. It's great news for the Canucks and their prospects to have another option for development and it's going to be interesting to see if any of them end up in Kalamazoo for their 50th anniversary season in 2024-25.