Vancouver Canucks Organization Announces A Slew of Signings, Including Former NCAA Defenseman
Photo credit: ECHL
The Vancouver Canucks organization has announced some more signings this week, among them being a defenseman with four years of experience in the NCAA.
As the month of September slowly winds down, we're inching closer to the start of the 2025-26 season, which for the Vancouver Canucks is in exactly 14 days - Thursday, October 9th against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.
Vancouver's ECHL affiliate, the Kalamazoo Wings, have been quite busy recently as they prepare their roster for the start of the season on Saturday, October 18th, with the club announcing numerous signings including Cam Knuble, son of longtime NHLer Mike Knuble, British Columbia native Powell Connor, among others.
Kalamazoo wasn't done there as on Wednesday, the club welcomed three more to Southwest Michigan, including two on professional tryouts (PTOs), one of which has four years of experience in the NCAA.
Kalamazoo Wings announce three more signings ahead of 2025-26 season
In a press release yesterday, the Kalamazoo Wings announced that they've agreed to terms on a one-year contract with defenseman Orlando Mainolfi, while forward Jack Jaunich and defenseman Ben Schultheis will be joining them on tryout contracts.
"The Kalamazoo Wings, proud ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, announced Wednesday that rookie defenseman Orlando Mainolfi has signed a Standard Player Contract (SPC). The team has also signed rookie defenseman Ben Schultheis and rookie forward Jack Jaunich to Player Tryout Contracts (PTO) for the 2025-26 season." the team said.
Mainolfi, who spent two seasons in the QMJHL with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, commented on his decision to sign in Kalamazoo, saying that he's excited to get to Michigan after hearing great things about organization.
"Starting my pro career with Kalamazoo is something I'm really looking forward to. I've heard positive things about the organization, the staff, and the incredible support from the fan base. Kalamazoo is a real hockey town, and I'm excited to experience that firsthand." Mainolfi said.
The Richmond Hill, Ontario native has spent the last four seasons with Acadia University in USports, putting up seven points (three goals, four assists) in 25 games during the 2024-25 campaign.
As for Ben Schultheis, while he spent last season playing at Utica University, he brings four years of NCAA Division 1 experience to Kalamazoo after appearing in 108 games with Ferris State University between 2020 and 2024.
Jaunich, 27, is the only one of the three signed by Kalamazoo that has played professional hockey before, albeit in the SPHL, where he had an impressive 2024-25 campaign with the Huntsville Havoc, registering 21 goals and 50 points in 56 games.
Kalamazoo will begin the 2025-26 season as mentioned on Saturday, October 18th on home ice as they host the Fort Wayne Komets at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. local).
Source: Kalamazoo Wings
K-WINGS SIGN ROOKIE DEFENSEMAN ORLANDO MAINOLFI, ADD TWO PLAYERS ON PTO
K-WINGS SIGN ROOKIE DEFENSEMAN ORLANDO MAINOLFI, ADD TWO PLAYERS ON PTO
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