Thursday, October 18, 2007

Nailers Win Season Opener 4-2

Big opening night victory for the Nailers tonight with a 4-2 over the Johnstown Chiefs. It was the 1st time in 16 years that the Nailers opened the year with a victory on the road.

The Nailers played a much more physical game than what we're use to seeing. Kevin Croxton,
Mark Letestu , Paul Bissonnette and Ned Havern notched a goal each. David Brown got the win in his first professional start, while former Nailer Andrew Penner gave up 4 goals on 36 shots.

The Nailers look to make it two in a row when they travel to Elmira, NY to face the Jackals tomorrow night.

Tidbits before tonights opener.

* Jeremy Duchesne was recalled to Philadelphia Flyers late yesterday.
* Curtiss Patrick and Aaron Clarke were placed on the 30-day IR.
* Michael Handza was placed on the 3-day IR.
* Thomas Spencer was placed on the 7-day IR.
* Garrett Winder has signed with the Augusta Lynx

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

An AHL Invasion

The Wheeling Nailers roster keeps getting crowded with AHL talent as they have been assigned four players from their AHL affiliates.

The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned center Mark Letestu from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to Wheeling earlier today.
Also, the Philadelphia Flyers assigned 3 players to Wheeling.
Forwards David Laliberte and Gino Pisellini as well as defenseman Mike Vannelli.

To make room, the Nailers released forwards Garrett Winder and Brendan Cook. Winder finished the preseason with 0 points and Cook lit the lamp twice one goal and one shootout goal.

Forward Mark Letestu has been a healthy scratch for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for every game this season. Last season he played in three regular season and two playoff games for the WBS Penguins but failed to record a point. He played his college hockey at Western Michigan. In his final season at WMU, Letestu played 37 games, Letestu amassed 46 points on 24 goals and 22 assists.

Foward David Laliberte spent last season with Prince Edward Island of the QMJHL where he played 68 games with the Rockets he tallied 98 points (50G, 48A). Laliberte played in one game this season for the Phantoms.

Gino Pisellini will be familiar with Nailer fans. Pisellini split last season with the Philadelphia Phantoms and the Trenton Titans.
He has not dressed for the Phantoms this season. Pisellini had a goal and an assist, in 32 games with the Phantoms last season. With Trenton, he had 4 points (1G, 3A).

Defenseman Mark Vannelli, was the captain of the University of Minnesota last season. In 44 games with the Golden Gophers,
Vannelli scored 39 points (10G, 29A) He has been a healthy scratch for the Phantoms in every game this season.

The Nailers have 9 players with time spent in the AHL. Kevin Croxton, Ned Havern, Kyle Rank, Adam Henrich, Curtiss Patrick, Paul Bissonnette, Jeremy Swanson, Martin Houle and Sean Collins.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Cuts and such

Henrich Suspended and Fined, Patrick Fined
The ECHL announced that it has suspended Wheeling left wing Adam Henrich for three games and fined him an undisclosed amount as a result of his actions in an ECHL Preseason Game against Johnstown on Saturday, Oct. 13.
Coach Glenn Patrick was also fined an undisclosed amount as a result of the actions of his team
during the game on the 13th.

Wheeling Released three players from their tryouts.

Forward: John Burton
Forward: Peter Ferraro
Defensemen: Mike Burton

Friday, October 12, 2007

Meet your 2007/2008 Defense

Curtiss Patrick - One of three returning defenders from last season. He played 38 games in a Nailers uniform, registering 4 points 1G, 3A) and 129 PIMS. He also played 10 games in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, registering 2 points (0G,2A) This marks Curtiss's 4th season with the team. He'll provide plenty of physical play along the boards.

Paul Bissonnette - Back for his third season in a Nailer uniform, Bissonnette will provide plenty of toughness along the blue line, as well as providing some scoring chances from there also. Enjoyed career numbers with Wheeling last season playing 65 games and scoring 42 points (10G, 32A)

Chris Brooks - The Yale grad enters his second season with the Nailers. Last season he scored 3 points (0G,3A) in 49 games.

Lane Manson - 6'9" 250lbs, played last season with Dayton before being signed in the offseason by Pittsburgh (NHL). Known more for his size than his shot, Manson will provide the Nailers with plenty of strength.

Chris Snavely - A speedy, quick defenseman who added that dimension to the Michigan State Spartan defensive corps. Snavely finished his college career with 43 points (7G, 36A) in 132 games.

Jeremy Swanson - Split time last season with Florida (ECHL) and Rochester (AHL).
Played 16 games with Florida scoring 3 points (0G, 3A) and 41 PIM. Played 47 games in Rochester adding 2 points (0G,2A) and 47 PIM.

Seamus Young - Played 72 games last season with Victoria (ECHL) scored 22 points (9G ,13A) Will provide the defense with some decent offensive numbers.

Todd Spencer - Rookie, invited to try out after playing for Sacred Heart.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Meet Your 2007/2008 Forwards

Sean Collins - The Capitan is returning for his 3rd season with the Nailers. Collins had 76 Points in each of the previous two seasons.
Ned Havern - Played with Wheeling last year putting up 40 points (19G, 21A), Havern also spent some time in the AHL with Providence.
Jon Foster - Returning from last season, scored 12 goals and 15 assist last season.
Vin Hellemeyer - Also returning from last season 8 Goals, 7 Assist.
Kevin Croxton - Great offensive weapon. Played 52 games in Alaska last season and registered 46 points. (21G, 25A) Also played 13 AHL Games for Peoria scoring 7 points (2G, 5 A)
Kyle Rank - Played 10 games at the end of last season fresh out of college and into the AHL scoring 4 points 2G, 2A.
Brandon Cook - During the 2006-2007 season Cook played for three different teams in the ECHL. The first 10 games Cook played were in Pensacola with the Ice Pilots gaining five points (2G, 3A) Cook was then played 40 games for the Utah Grizzles where he had 20 points (9G, 11A) and ended his season with 12 games with the Columbia Inferno tallying 7 points (5G, 2A).
Jason Tejchma - Last seasons stats: 9 points in 16 games in Fresno (7G, 2A)
Brian Ihnacak - Rookie: From Brown University. Finished with four year totals of 28G, 48A.
Peter Ferraro - Rookie: Started 32 games for Sacred-Heart, scoring 12 points (6G, 6A)
Kevin Du - Expectations are high for this speedster. Had a great camp with Wilkes-Barrie/Scranton Penguins. He's only 5'8" 175, but possess great stick skills and doesn't mind passing the puck. His last season at Harvard he had 25 points (5G, 20A) in 33 games.
Garrett Winder - Spent last season overseas playing with Heereveen Flyers in the Netherlands where he scored 23 points (13G, 10A) in 26 games.
Michael Handza - Rookie: scored 8G, 16A in for years at University of Denver.
Aaron Clarke - Rookie: From Peterborough, ONT. Played his college hockey at Robert Morris University and Niagara University. His senior season at Robert Morris Clarke scored 36 points (11G, 25A)
Alexei Smirnov - Played 53 NHL games with Anaheim. Spent last season with Long Beach of the ECHL with Bo Cheesman. Scored 31 points in 38 games. (12G, 19A). Smirnov has great raw talent and offensive ability. He is a fantastic puck handler and moves very well through traffic. He also possesses an above average shot that could be deadly if he gets a chance to use it more.
Adam Henrich - A thorn in the side of the Wheeling Nailers over the past couple of seasons that will hopefully blossom into a standout player for the Nailers this season. Spent time with Johnstown scoring 34 points (15G, 19A) in 32 games. Henrich also spent 27 games in the AHL with Springfield scoring 9 points (3G, 6A)
John Burton - Past two seasons played 8 games in the UHL between Flint and Chicago. 0 goals, 0 assist, 0 points. Hopefully he can generate some offense this season with the amount of talent Wheeling possesses.