NHL Draft Pick One Of Three Additions To The Kwings As Camp Approaches

The Kalamazoo Wingsadded to their training camp roster with the additions of Erik Higby, Cory Pritz, and Tyler Shattock, the team announced Tuesday by a press release.

Higby, 26 years old, joins Kalamazoo for his first full season of professional hockey. At the conclusion of his four year career at Northern Michigan University (CCHA/WCHA) last year, the 5-foot-9 forward appeared in 18 games for the Alaska Aces, where he notched nine points.

“Erik Higby is a high-character guy who plays a 200-foot game,” said K-Wings head coach Nick Bootland. “That’s a common trait in players from NMU. He’s also excited to reunite with his junior teammate Justin Kovacs.”

A native of New Braunfels, Texas, Higby played with Mahoning Valley and Topeka in the North American Hockey league before joining NMU in 2010. In his final season of juniors with Topeka, Higby scored 27 goals while adding 53 assists in 57 games, earning him NAHL MVP honors.

Pritz enters Kalamazoo’s training camp with a shot to crack his first pro roster. The 5-foot-10 defenseman spent the last five seasons with the University of Calgary in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association. A two-time CWUAA all-star, the 27-year-old racked up 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 21 games with the Dinos last season.

“He’s a mobile defenseman with tremendous vision,” Bootland said. “He can control the tempo of a game and comes from a winning environment.”

Shattock, 25 years old, enters his sixth season of professional hockey. A 2009 draft pick of the St. Louis Blues (round four, pick 108), Shattock began his pro career in 2010 with the American Hockey League’s Peoria Rivermen. With 258 career AHL games under his belt, Shattock brings experience, toughness, and a scoring touch around the goal.

“Tyler is a true power forward and a great leader,” Bootland said. “He plays the game fast and hard. We plan to use him in all situations because his unique skillset is hard for opponents to offset.”

A native of Vernon, British Columbia, Shattock won a Western Hockey League championship in 2010 with Calgary alongside current K-Wing Ben Wilson. Last season with the Stockton Thunder, Shattock led the team in assists (40) and points (63), while setting a career mark for penalty minutes with 101.

The K-Wings open their 42^nd season of professional hockey against the Fort Wayne Komets on Friday, October 16 at Wings Event Center. For the official 2015-16 K-Wings season schedule, visit kwings.com.

Single-game tickets are now on sale! Tickets can be purchased at kwings.com or at the Wings Event Center box office. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are available through the K-Wings front office by calling (269) 743-6011. For more information about the K-Wings and Wings Event Center, please contact Joe Roberts at (269) 226-0394.