Kalamazoo to Host 2025 ECHL Hockey Heritage Weekend

The Kalamazoo Wings will host the 2025 ECHL Hockey Heritage Week from January 17–18, 2025, to celebrate the 2024–2025 season which will be the franchise’s 50th anniversary.

The Wings, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks, will work with Discover Kalamazoo on the event along with FireKeepers Casino Hotel. It will be the 15th season in the ECHL for the Wings, which is the fourth-oldest minor league professional hockey franchise.

“Fifty years of professional hockey in a community the size of Kalamazoo is unheard of,” said Toni Will, Kalamazoo Wings general manager and governor. “K-Wings hockey is woven into the fabric of our city. There’s no better way to celebrate our franchise’s 50th Anniversary season than the honor of hosting the Warrior/ECHL Hockey Heritage game.”

The standout moments from the weekend will be the induction of the 17th class into the ECHL Hall of Fame on January 17 and the Hockey Heritage Game at Wings Event Center on January 18. Other events during the weekend include the Stanley Cup and exhibits from the Hockey Hall of Fame on display both days, as well as Fan Fest and a K-Wings 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday.

The event marks the second time the ECHL has tapped Kalamazoo for the Hockey Heritage game and first since 2016.

“It is very fitting to bring this event back to Kalamazoo for their 50th Anniversary Season,” said ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin. “K-Wings hockey has enhanced not just the Kalamazoo region, but rather all levels of hockey, and the Warrior/ECHL Hockey Heritage Event will showcase this rich tradition next Season.”