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Western Michigan’s Cam Knuble and Robby Drazner signed standard player contracts with the Kalamazoo Wings, the ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks.

Knuble, the son of former Red Wing Mike Knuble, served as an assistant captain last season and posted a career-high 15 points on five goals and 10 assists. He had the primary assist on the game-winning goal in the national championship win over Boston University.

In five seasons with the Broncos, the Grand Rapids native had 18 points on seven goals and 11 assists. 

“Kalamazoo is a really special place to me,” Knuble said in a press release. “The city has played a huge role in my life and hockey career. I’m proud to join the Wings and to play in front of the great hockey fans in Kalamazoo.”

Drazner played one season in Kalamazoo, posting career best numbers with 14 points on five goals and nine assists. The defenseman from Buffalo Grove, Ill., native was plus-18 and blocked 33 shots.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the K-Wings organization and to stay in Kalamazoo, especially coming over from Western Michigan,” Drazner said. “I can’t wait to start my pro career with such a great organization!”

Ex-Wings assistant GM Martin promoted in N.Y.

Former Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin has been promoted to associate general manager of the New York Rangers, and will remain as general manager of the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. 

Martin was the Red Wings’ director of hockey administration from 2005-2010 and was the assistant GM from 2011 to 2021 and GM of the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Rangers also announced the additions of former NHL forwards Ryan Clowe and Blake Wheeler to their front office on Monday.

Clowe was named assistant general manager one day after resigning from the same role with the San Jose Sharks. 

Wheeler, who retired earlier this off-season, will be a hockey operations advisor. 

Clowe was named an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils in 2016 and spent two years in that role. He then was named head coach of the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers in 2018, but stepped down to medical reasons during his first season behind the bench.

Clowe spent 11 seasons in the NHL where he recorded 112 goals and 197 assists in 491 games.

Lebanc joins Hurricanes on pro tryout basis

Kevin Lebanc has joined the Carolina Hurricanes on a professional tryout basis.

The 29-year-old forward spent last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

A native of Staten Island, N.Y., Labanc appeared in 34 games in 2024-2025, recording a pair of goals and 10 assists.

Labanc joins former Red Wing Givani Smith and Oliver Kylington as attending Canes camp on a PTO.

Originally selected with the 171st overall pick of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft out of the OHL Barrie Colts, Labanc spent the first eight seasons of his career with the San Jose Sharks.

In 512 career games, Lebanc has 84 goals and 153 assists.

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