Kalamazoo, MI - The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the International Hockey League, announce the signings of forwards Glenn Detulleo, Justin Cross and defenseman John Miller; per team policy the terms of the contracts will be undisclosed.
Detulleo returns to Kalamazoo for this third season with the K-Wings. Last season was career year for the native of Timmons, Ontario, as the forward recorded 73 points (17 goals, 56 assists).
A tenacious competitor, Detulleo has played at 70 or more games in each of his past four seasons.
"With his work effect on and off the ice, Glenn has committed himself to becoming a top player in his league," said General Manager Wade Welsh. "We viewed Glenn as a leader last season and he will have even more responsibility this season."
Finishing the season as Assistant Captain, Detulleo earned the K-Wings' Kalsee Credit Union Unsung Hero Award. Detulleo also finished the regular season, leading all IHL players in assists.
Also returning for his third season is Justin Cross. The native of Camarillo, California surpassed his rookie numbers of 55 points (26 goals, 29 assists) by notching 56 points (18 goals and 38 assists) in nine fewer games.
Cross' efforts were noticed by the fans, as his stellar play on the ice earned him the K-Wings' Pepsi Sportsmanship Award.
"We (K-Wings) expect Justin to keep growing as a player," said Welsh. "Suffering through injures last year, we expect the productivity to increase with a health Cross.
Before turning pro, Cross spent four years at Niagara University, where as a member of the Purple Eagles, he recorded 92 points (36 goals, 56 assists) in 138 games.
Adding to the blue-line, John Miller will don on the K-Wings jersey for a second season. Like Cross, Miller battled injures that kept him out for 45 games last season.
Under league rules, with 45 games played in his professional career, Miller will still be considered a rookie.
"John is a team player that did everything in his power to return from injury," said Welsh. "While he is a rookie by league standers, at 26 years old, Miller has the maturity and playing experience of a seasoned pro."
An offensive-minded defenseman, Miller recorded 14 points (3 goals and 11 assists) in 25 games last year.
Miller initiated himself to professional hockey during the 2006-07 season by playing six games with the Lubbock Cotton Kings of the Central Hockey League and 12 games in the Division 2 League in Sweden with Boro/Vetanda. Miller adapted to life in Sweden racking up 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in just 12 games.
Before turning pro, Miller was a four-year standout at Northern Michigan University, preceded by a season of Junior "A" hockey in the United States Hockey League with the Sioux City Musketeers.
The addition of Detulleo, Cross and Miller are the first signings in the 2008-09 seasons for the, which will commence on Saturday, October 18th on the road against the Bloomington PrairieThunder.
