Kalamazoo brings back popular trio

The Kalamazoo Wings announced the signings of forwards Mike Manley and Glenn Detulleo and defenseman Jeff Brown on Tuesday.

The last time K-Wings fans saw Manley in a Wings jersey he was hoisting the Colonial Cup. After playing last season in the ECHL with the Trenton Titans, Manley comes back to the team where he started his professional career. The forward was a member of the K-Wings from 2004-06.

“He (Manley) got caught in a numbers game in the ECHL with contracted NHL draft picks and didn’t get the ice time he needed to succeed,” said Kalamazoo GM Wade Welsh. “Returning to the K-Wings gives Manley the perfect opportunity to showcase his abilities.”

Manley is a bona fide performer that has a track record of scoring in the clutch and well as a proven commodity on the penalty kill.

During the 2005-06 season, Manley led all United Hockey League rookies in shorthanded goals with six. The six shorthanders by Manley still stand as the K-Wings’ single-season UHL franchise record.

Adding to the K-Wings offensive arsenal will be Detulleo. The native of Timmins, Ontario is coming off a postseason run, which he set the K-Wings’ UHL record for assists in a single playoff year (15).

“Glenn creates scoring chances for both him and his linemates,” said Welsh. “He’s coming off a career playoff year and we expect him to continue were he left off.”

Over the past two seasons, Detulleo has averaged 63 points, which includes the 2005-06 season with the Quad City Mallards. An iron man during that season, Detulleo set personal career high in goals (17) assists (53) and points (70). Last season, Glenn continued his scoring brilliance tying his career best for goals in a single season.

Originally, joining the K-Wings last November through a trade with Quad City, Detulleo split last season with the K-Wings, Mallards and Elmira Jackals.

Also returning to the K-Wings will be Brown. The 2007-08 season will be Brown’s tenth as a professional and second in Kalamazoo.

Last season, Brown helped anchor one of the stingiest defenses in the UHL, which surrendered 2.51 goals a game. Brown was also one of five members of the K-Wings to earn to be selected and start in the 2007 UHL All-Star Classic.

“When you have the opportunity to sign an all-star caliber player, you have to jump at it,” said Welsh. “Brown’s experience and leadership are assets to our blueline and locker room.”

Brown, who was the first round pick (22nd overall pick) of the New York Rangers in 1996, has an extensive resume which includes four years of Junior A hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, as well as international experience. During the 1998-99 season, Brown represented his country by playing for Team Canada.

The addition of Manley, Detulleo and Brown gives the K-Wings six players signed for the upcoming 2007-08 season.

Also signed for next season are forwards Nick Bootland and Tyler Willis and defenseman Adam Elzinga.