Canucks, Kalamazoo Wings continuing partnership for 2026-27 season

Canucks, Kalamazoo Wings continuing partnership for 2026-27 season

Published 4:32 pm Tuesday, September 22, 2026

The affiliate arrangement between the Kalamazoo Wings and the Canucks organization will continue for this season.

A Wings spokesperson confirmed to The News earlier this month that the partnership has been extended for the 2026-27 campaign.

The two organizations began this current collaboration back in 2023 and it was originally a one-year deal. The following year saw the affiliation renewed for two seasons. That arrangement expired this summer, but the two sides agreed to continue at some point during the off-season.

General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the Kalamazoo Wings (@KalamazooWings) have signed a one-year agreement to be the ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and AHL Abbotsford Canucks for the 2023.24 season.

DETAILS | https://t.co/PQEJRjaes3 pic.twitter.com/o6t8Zq34Uv

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) July 10, 2023

The clubs have historically worked together frequently, as the two franchises had agreements from 1984 to 1987, 2011 to 2015 and 2017 to 2021. The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a step below the AHL, meaning Abbotsford Canucks players could be sent there for more playing opportunities or for a conditioning stint. A total of 31 of the 32 NHL teams have an affiliate team in the ECHL. The lone independent team in the ECHL is the Norfolk Admirals, while the New York Rangers are currently the only NHL team without an ECHL affiliate.

The 2026-27 season is going to be a notable one for the Wings, as they are saying farewell to their longtime home known as the Wings Event Center. The 5,113-seat venue opened in 1974 and a Wings franchise of some sort has been on the ice in that building ever since. Kalamazoo famously had the first-ever Green Ice Game in 1982 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day that year and the tradition has continued there and many other venues since. Notable musical artists to perform at the arena include: The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Queen, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Prince, The Beastie Boys, Nirvana, Metallica and Elton John.

The club moves into the new Kalamzaoo Event Center next fall. That arena will host 6,500 for seated events.

The Wings are also participating in the 2027 ECHL Outdoor Game, which sees Kalamazoo take on the Toledo Walleye at Western Michigan University’s Waldo Stadium on Jan. 31. The venue, which is located in Kalamazoo, has a capacity of 30,200 for football. Other big games on the 2026-27 schedule consist of: Green Ice (March 13), Orange Ice (Oct. 31), Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 28), Rainbow Ice (Jan. 30) and Pink Ice (Feb. 6). Special promotional games include: The Office Night (Mar. 12 – featuring special guest Kate Flannery – who played Meredith Palmer), Alter Ego Night (Jan. 23 – the Wings re-brand as the Kalamazoo Kazoos), Swifty Day (Dec. 13), Sensory Sunday/ Kids Eat Free (Nov. 8), Grateful Dead Night (Dec. 11) and Champions Night (Jan. 15).

They are also offering a throwback price of $4.50 for all tickets to the team’s home opener on Oct. 30.

2026-27 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE 🤩

The full 2026-27 promotional schedule is LIVE 👉 https://t.co/ZrCQLr319C pic.twitter.com/XXwxkBtHiy

— Kalamazoo Wings (@KalamazooWings) September 22, 2026

Kalamazoo failed to make the playoffs last season and finished with a record of 36-30-3-3. It marks the second consecutive season without playoff hockey for Wings fans. The team is led by head coach Joel Martin, who enters his fifth season as bench boss. Toni Will is the general manager and governor for the Wings and this is her 11th season in that role.

For more on the team, visit kwings.com.