KALAMAZOO MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kevin Schamehorn, who spent almost eight seasons as a member of the Kalamazoo Wings, has died at the age of 66.
Schamehorn had battled prostate cancer for four years, and was surrounded by his family when he passed away on Thursday, December 8th.
Schamehorn played 10 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings, and in addition to his years with the K Wings, also played for teams in Kansas City, Adirondack, Rochester, Milwaukee, Flint, and Houston.
Schamehorn’s #26 was retired by the K Wings in 2018.
“On behalf of the entire Kalamazoo Wings organization, we are saddened by the loss of Kevin Schamehorn,” said Kalamazoo Wings General Manager and Governor Toni Will. “He was such an important part of the K-Wings heritage, and his passing will be felt by every single person who had the pleasure to be part of Kevin’s life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kevin’s entire family during this difficult time.”
“Kevin was an incredible ambassador for Kalamazoo Wings Hockey and a cornerstone member of our alumni corps & community,” said Kalamazoo Wings Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Joel Martin. “His contributions to our organization are marked throughout our record books and in the hearts of everyone that he interacted with. We’re proud that his No. 26 will always look down on us as we compete. Our deepest sympathies go out to Natalia, Taylor, Hunter, and Tara.”
Former teammate Georges Gagnon said of his friend, “He will be missed for his love of others, his courage, his infectious laugh till you cry and most of all his desire for others to have a better life. His parting wisdom to me a few weeks ago was – Get your physicals done every year.”
He is survived by his wife Natalia, daughters Hunter, Taylor, and Tara, brother Drew, sister Lori, and many, many friends.
Details on a memorial service have yet to be announced.
