Betker, Murphy join K-Wings

Kalamazoo, Mich. - The Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, announced the signing of defenseman Ben Betker and forward Wade Murphy for the 2018-19 season.

Betker joins the K-Wings after finishing up an NHL entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers. A sixth-round selection (158th overall) of the Oilers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Betker played 42 games for American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors last season. Over three professional seasons, Betker has appeared in 140 games, including 86 in the AHL. Prior to turning pro, Betker played three seasons of junior hockey with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League

Murphy, 24, split last season between the Worcester Railers and Greenville Swamp Rabbits suiting up in 52 games and posting 24 points (6g-18a). A seventh-round selection (185th overall) of the Nashville Predators in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Murphy spent two years at the University of North Dakota before transferring to Arizona State to round out his college career. In 66 NCAA games the Victoria, British Columbia native tallied 24 points (9g-15a).