KALAMAZOO — Twelve of 22 Junior K-Wings players started the season knowing it was their last in junior hockey. They're heading to colleges next year.

On Monday, the other 10 learned this will be their last year in Kalamazoo after owner Stadium Management Company announced the team will cease operations following this season.

The Junior K-Wings (27-13-4) are in their second year in the North American Hockey League, where they're tied for second with the Jamestown Ironmen in the North Division. They have 16 games left in the regular season.

“It wasn’t the on-ice product at all,” SMC general manager Jim Burlew stressed. “Marc Fakler and his players have done an awesome job. Last year, they came within a goal-mouth scramble to tie the game with Port Huron and win the North Division.

“This year, the on-ice product is in a position for a strong finish and could go far, even win it all.”

Burlew pointed to the business side of the franchise, attendance and sponsorship, as the major reason for ceasing operations.

The team drew an average of about 250 fans last year and about 325 this season, at $5 a ticket.

He added that having the Kalamazoo Wings and Western Michigan University hockey teams in town also make a junior team a hard sell to fans.

“I’m obviously disappointed after putting so much time with the expansion, getting the team off the ground,” Fakler said. “It’s a tough business prospect here.”

Fakler said he thought he would have a little more time to work with and establish the team, but “hockey’s a business,” he said. “You’ve gotta keep moving forward.”

Each team had to renew membership in the NAHL by Jan. 31, so the decision had to be made before the end of the season. Fakler talked with his players Monday afternoon.

“It was certainly a shock to the system, just coming off a break,” he said. “We're 7-0-1 in our last eight games.”

Said Burlew: “Marc Fakler not only has put a very good product on the ice, but he’s very concerned about his players. He helps the young men prepare for their college careers. He’s also been coach of the top prospects tournament two years in a row.”

Of their 16 remaining regular-season games, 12 of them are at Wings West. Their next home contest is at 2 p.m Saturday, Feb. 9, against the Springfield Jr. Blues.