Kalamazoo Wings, Toledo Walleye move conferences in ECHL

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By @MichaelCaples –

The ECHL announced today a new divisional alignment for the upcoming 2016-17 season, and the two team most associated with Michigan are on the move.

The Kalamazoo Wings and the Toledo Walleye (the Red Wings’ ECHL affiliate) are now in the Central Division of the Western Conference, per the league’s release.

The K-Wings and the Walleye join the Fort Wayne Komets, Indy Fuel, Quad City Mallards, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder in the Central for the 2016-17 campaign.

According to the ECHL announcement, the new format “will allow most teams to have a better chance of playing traditional rivals in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and to allow for more economical travel.”

Last season, Kalamazoo and Toledo were in the North Division of the Eastern Conference with the Wheeling Nailers and Brampton Beast.