For Kalamazoo Wings fans, this stunning news had to feel like it came out of left field: K-Wings' coach and director of Hockey Operations Nick Bootland has resigned.
As the KWings extended their affiliation with the Columbus Blue Jackets and top affiliate, Cleveland Monsters, here's a look back on the team's history of parent clubs.
Play begins on Thursday, March 31st, and the championship in Monday, April 4 (at Wings West). Forty-four teams with some 800 players are coming to Kalamazoo. The local hosts, the Kalamazoo Optimists Hockey Association have been running a program since 1965, but this is the first time they've bid host a tournament this big.