Karlander and Dardis ink with Kalamazoo

Forwards Kory Karlander and Jay Dardis have signed with the Kalamazoo Wings for this upcoming season.

The signing of Karlander (pictured right) marks the fifth returning member of the K-Wings Colonial Cup championship team of a year ago. In 76 games last year, the K-Wings assistant captain was tied for second in team scoring with 80 points (28 goals, 52 assists) and the veteran continued his scoring brilliance in the postseason with 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in just 13 games.

"One of our main goals was to bring back and solidify our top scoring line from a year ago," Wings GM Paul Pickard said. "Karlander is not only a high scoring forward, but also a face-off specialist."

Karlander played college hockey at Northern Michigan University.

Dardis comes to Kalamazoo after spending the past four seasons at Division III Wisconsin-Superior. As a member of the Yellow Jackets, Dardis chronicled 104 points (36 goals, 68 assists) in 113 games and was an assistant captain for the Jackets during his senior season.

"We have heard great things about Dardis," said Pickard. "He has shown a scoring touch in college and we hope that he can continue to find production in the UHL."

Prior to college, Dardis played two seasons of Junior A hockey in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks and the Rochester Mustangs. Dardis was selected by the New York Rangers in the 6th round (177th overall selection) of the 1999 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

The addition of Karlander and Dardis gives the K-Wings seven players signed for their defense of the Colonial Cup.