WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Training camp has started for the Kalamazoo Wings but the signings continue.
The team announced the signing of NHL veteran Steve McCarthy yesterday afternoon.
McCarthy joins Kalamazoo with 15 years of professional hockey under his belt which include stints in the NHL, AHL, Kontinental Hockey League (Russia), SM-liiga (Finland), and Swiss-A (Switzerland).
The 34-year-old defenseman was taken with the 23rd pick of the first round in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He made his professional debut for Chicago on October 4, 1999 in a game against the San Jose Sharks. The left-handed-shooting defenseman registered his first career point, an assist, on his first shift. McCarthy played in 302 NHL games over eight seasons from 1999-2008 with Chicago, Vancouver, and Atlanta.
Most recently, the native of Trail, BC was a member of the Iowa Wild (AHL), where he skated in 13 games, registering four points.
“He’s a leader whose experience will help the players and coaches moving forward,” K-Wings head coach Nick Bootland said. “We’re very excited to have Steve in Kalamazoo.”
Other than his eight seasons in the NHL, McCarthy’s decorated career includes being the first overall pick in the 1996 WHL Bantam Draft, scoring 128 points in 154 games with Edmonton and Kootenay in the WHL, and winning bronze medals with Canada’s World Junior Championship team in 2000 and again in 2001 while serving as the team’s captain.
Submitted by Mark McGlothlen
