KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kalamazoo Wings, the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, announced Monday that they are the first professional hockey team to become an official operator of NHL STREET.
K-Wings offers two free NHL Street Youth camps for youth ages 7-12 will be held in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, July 17 and Wednesday, Aug. 14. The K-Wings hope to have an NHL Street League launch in the summer of 2025.
“The K-Wings are proud to partner with NHL STREET to provide Kalamazoo kids and families with realistic access to our games,” said Toni Will, general manager and governor of the Kalamazoo Wings. “We recognize the value of year-round hockey in Kalamazoo and are pleased to provide an investment to help grow the sport while still being enjoyed by local youth. We are excited to be the first ECHL team to work with this great organization.”
Both free camps in 2024 will be held on Kalamazoo's north side and the team will partner with a local nonprofit (to be named) to register participants, marking the start of an expanded NHL STREET investment in local youth.
“The Kalamazoo Wings' participation in the NHL STREET program is a fantastic step in expanding the reach and appeal of hockey and demonstrates that great things can happen when we work together in the hockey ecosystem,” said Kevin Westgarth, NHL vice president of hockey development and strategic collaborations. “The enthusiasm and passion the K-Wings organization has shown in this effort highlights their dedication to growing their community and engaging youth. We are excited to inspire the next generation of hockey players and fans and deepen hockey connections in our community.”
Founded in 2023, NHL STREET is the premier ball hockey experience designed to give kids ages 6-16 and their families the best experience in youth sports: having fun, being active, making friends and creating great memories.
“The launch of the NHL Street Program with the Kalamazoo Wings marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our community and the sport of hockey,” said ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin. “This program will allow countless young fans to experience the joy of playing hockey in an accessible, inclusive environment. Not only does this initiative align with our mission to grow hockey at the grassroots level, it embodies the spirit of innovation and community engagement we strive for at the ECHL. We are pleased to support the K-Wings in this effort and look forward to witnessing the positive impact it has on fans and future players as we look forward to developing this program in even more ECHL markets.”
NHL Street brings new style, energy and gameplay to the sport, providing an affordable, community-based model for families and enabling kids across North America to learn and play hockey. One year later, NHL Street has more than 100 league operators in the U.S. and Canada and has more than 2,500 youth enjoying street hockey, including in places where hockey was previously unavailable.
“I've been passionate about bringing hockey to Kalamazoo's urban core for many years,” said Kalamazoo Wings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Joel Martin, “I'm excited to introduce hockey to the north side of Kalamazoo with camps this summer and am equally excited to expand hockey throughout the city in the coming years.”
By partnering RCX SportsAs a leader in youth sports experiences, K-Wings and local nonprofits are working together to help promote sports to a new generation and break down barriers to participation in sports for youth athletes.
“RCX Sports' mission is to create the best youth sports experience possible while reducing barriers to entry so all kids can participate,” said Tom Garavaglia, NHL Street Director for RCX Sports. “We're grateful to K-Wings for supporting and investing in the future of local kids through these camps. We know sports have the power to change lives, and we can't wait to see that impact in Kalamazoo.”
