Defensively speaking, K-Wings sign three more

KALAMAZOO – The Kalamazoo Wings roster continues to grow as the organization announced the signing of three more players for the upcoming season.

Defenseman Joe Charlebois and Elgin Reid are returning to the K-Wings and the team also completed a trade with the Toledo Walleye for defenseman Kyle Page. The Walleye received future considerations in the trade.

Charlebois, who has been named as the K-Wings Fifth Third Defenseman of the Year for the past two seasons, will be entering this third season in Kalamazoo. Last season, Charlebois received two call-ups to the AHL last season to the Lake Erie Monsters and Manchester Monarchs. In 52 games last season, Charlebois scored three goals and added 12 assists.

“He (Charlebois) responded well for us in an expanded roll,” said head coach Nick Bootland in a statement released by the team. “Joe is not only a stable defenseman, but he is also a vital component of our penalty kill.

Reid will be entering his second season as a member of the K-Wings. Playing in 45 games last season, Reid scored nine goals and 18 assists. Reid carried his scoring prowess over into the postseason scoring three goals and three assists in 11 games; however he suffered a season-ending injury in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Everblades.

“Elgin helps us create offense from the blue line and energizes our power-play,” Bootland said. “He is a difference maker in our lineup. If his unfortunate injury in the first period of the conference finals doesn’t occur, it could have been a different series.”

Marking his first season with the K-Wings this season, Page is no stranger to Kalamazoo after spending the last three seasons with the Walleye. A native of Wixom, Michigan, Page scored two goals and had 12 assists in 61 games last season.

Named as Captain during his last two seasons at Bowling Green State University, Page was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team during the 2006-07 season and was the Falcons Top Defensive Player in 2006-07, as well as the 2009-10.

Page also established a team record for blocked shots in a single-season knocking down 71 during the 2009-10 campaign.

“Kyle’s ability to move the puck and his overall mobility makes him a great fit for our system,” Bootland said. “Watching him play against us for the past three seasons, we felt he was a player that could help us this season and, once he became available, we worked quickly to acquire him.”

The K-Wings roster now stands at seven players for the upcoming season.