Tim Wallace Called up to NHL

Former Wheeling Nailer, Tim Wallace has been called up to the Pittsburgh Penguins and will join the team in New Jersey before tomorrow night's game.

Wallace, 24, has seven points (4G, 3A) in 21 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. He is the 37th Wheeling Nailer to make it to the NHL.

Tommy Goebel and Curtis Darling will both be joining Nick Johnson in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Wheeling will not be shorthanded this weekend as David Brown and Rob Sirianni have been returned to the team after their stints in the AHL. Darling will more-than-likely remain in Wilkes Barre/Scranton until Marc-Andre Fleury returns from his groin injury.

Brown has looked shakey during his stint going 1-2 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with a save percentage of .841. The word out of WBS is that he may have played himself into Pittsburgh's doghouse with his shakey play.

Sirianni, who was absent from the Nailers roster for three weeks, appeared in six games for Binghamton notching one goal and 2 penalty minutes. Before signing his PTO with Binghamton, Sirianni notched 19 points in 12 games with the Nailers (8G, 11A).

Tidbits...

After the first two weeks the Nailers stand on top of the North Division with a 4-0-1 record.

Currently there are only 4 guys on the team do not have a point. Two of those four are goalies... Can you guess the other two?

Tommy Goebel was named the In Glas Co Player of the Week for Oct. 20-26. Goebel had nine points (4G,5A) as the Nailers went 2-0-1. Goebel leads the ECHL in points with 13.

John Bernier was waived today. At least we still have Cedric the Entertainer.

David Brown was reassigned earlier today. He should start sometime this weekend. Darling has seen 123 shots (28, 39, 56) this past weekend.

That's more rubber than a Swedish Hockey game...

WOOOO!

Click here for the story if you haven't seen it already. (Not Safe For Work)

Or watch the video. (NSFW - 4:45 mark)

Inching closer to opening day...

With opening night two days away the Nailers have another round of cuts as they released forwards Mark Nebus, Sean Berkstresser and Jonathan Ornelas. They also released goalie, Ryan Scott. Teams opening-day rosters must be submitted Thursday by 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will more-than-likely be sending the Nailers a player or two within the next week and don't expect Wheeling to get any players from the Philadelphia Phantoms this season as they're affiliated with the Mississippi SeaWolves for the 2008/2009 season. It isn't like we got a lot from them last season anywho.

Updated Training Camp List 10-15-08

Forwards:
Tobias Holm
Jordan Morrison
Brock Sheahan
Matt Grennier
Rob Sirianni
Aaron Clarke
Andrew Lord
Jon Grecu
Cedrick Bernier
Erik Johnson
Kelly Miller
Tommy Goebel
Boomer Ewing

Defensemen:
Mitch Ganzak
Elgin Reid
Jeremy Scherlinck
Cliff Loya
Doug Krantz
Todd Spencer
Jonathan Bernier

Goalies:
Curtis Darling
*David Brown

*Currently Called Up to WBS Penguins

Nailers add defensemen to training camp

Miami of Ohio standout defenseman Mitch Ganzak was added to the Nailers training camp today.

Ganzak played two games for the Manitoba Moose last season and recorded an assist for the Moose, after completing his collegiate career.

Former Wheeling Nailer, Tobias Holm was also recently added to the training camp roster. Holm last played stateside in 1998-1999 and played for various teams in Europe since leaving the Nailers.

The Baby Pens are expected to make 2-3 more cuts when the ECHL season starts. They are currently carrying 15 forwards J.M. Daoust, Mark Letestu and Nick Johnson appear to be on the hot seat while Adam Henrich has a very outside chance of reassignment. The cuts wouldn't be because they cannot hang in the AHL, but moreso to give them more playing time to develop.

David Brown was recalled while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton starting goalie John Curry is nursing swollen ankles he is expected to return to Wheeling when Curry is ready to go.

Forwards Aaron Grynol, Anthony Attanucci, Travis Van Dyn Hoven and Matt Armstrong have been cut. Also being released were defenseman Arthur Kiyaga, Tom Collingham and Mike Gooch.

Nailers Assigned Familiar Keeper and a Pens Prospect

Goaltender David Brown and Jordan Morrison were sent to Wheeling today from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Morrison, a 7th round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2004 as a defenseman spent 4 game last season in the ECHL with the Texas Wildcatters where he played forward. He notched 3 points (1G, 2A) in 4 regular season games with the Wildcatters and added 4 more points (2G,2A) in 9 playoff games.

And in case you were wondering about Kyle Rank, he signed with the Cincinnati Cyclones today.

Nailers Assigned Two From WBS

Goalie Curtis Darling and defenseman Brock Sheahan have been assigned to the Nailers from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Sheahan, 24, comes to Wheeling after finishing his collegiate career at Notre Dame where he posted 33 points in 161 games (4G,29A).

Nailers Announce 2008-2009 Training Camp Roster

Forwards:
Matt Grennier
Rob Sirianni
Aaron Clarke
Andrew Lord
Jon Grecu
Jonathan Ornelas
Cedrick Bernier
Aaron Grynol
Erik Johnson
Mark Nebus
Sean Berkstresser
Kelly Miller
Matt Armstrong
Travis Van Dyn Hoven
Tommy Goebel
Boomer Ewing

Defensemen:
Elgin Reid
Jeremy Scherlinck
Cliff Loya
Doug Krantz
Mike Gooch
Todd Spencer
Tom Collingham
Arthur Kiyaga
Jonathan Bernier
Anthony Attanucci

Goalies: Ryan Scott

WBS Makes Cuts, send 8 to Wheeling

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins made their first round of cuts today.

Aaron Clarke, Andrew Lord, Rob Sirianni, Jeremy Scherlinck, Jonathan Ornelas, Matt Grennier, Doug Krantz and Cliff Loya were sent down to Wheeling.

Mike Salekin and Kevin Harvey were sent to Reading.

Nino Musitelli and Nathan Schwartzbauer were sent down to Dayton.

Brad Farynuk to South Carolina and perhaps the most intriguing player of the bunch, Mitch Woods, who had 26 fights in the IHL last season and a handful in WBS camp, was sent down to Cincinnati.

Nailers Stay Busy; Sign Two More

The Nailers remained busy toward the tail end of the offseason by signing forwards Erik Johnson and Mark Nebus.

Johnson, 27, has played before in the ECHL with the San Diego Gulls, Pensacola Ice Pilots and Cincinnati Cyclones n 2006-2007. He split the 2007-2008 season between the New Mexico Scorpions and the Youngstown Steelheads of the CHL.

Nebus, 26, spent last season in the International Hockey League with the Port Huron Icehawks and Kalamazoo Wings. He was coached by Puhalski in his 10 games with the Chicago Hounds (UHL) in 2006-2007.

Nailers Sign Rookie Matt Grennier

The Wheeling Nailers agreed to terms with rookie forward Matt Grennier.

Grennier, 25, spent the tail end of last season with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL after completing his collegiate career at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Nailers under contract for next season
Matt Grennier - F
Jon Grecu - F
Sean Berkstresser - F
Aaron Clarke - F
Rob Sirianni - F
Andrew Lord - F
Jonathan Ornelas - F
Cedrick Bernier - F

Jeremy Scherlinck - D
Elgin Reid - D
Mike Gooch - D
Cliff Loya - D
Todd Spencer - D
Doug Krantz - D
Chris Snavely - D

Nailers With Qualifying Offers On the Table
Curtis Darling - G (signed contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton [AHL])

Players Who Were Extended Qualifying Offers Whom Signed Elsewhere For 08/09
Tyson Marsh - D (Signed with Reading)
Julien Brouillette - D (Signed with Charlotte)
Sean Collins - F (signed to play in Finland)
Steve McJannett - F (Traded to Elmira)

Under ECHL contracts:
7 - Defensemen
8 - Forwards
0 - Goalies

Nailers add another.

The Wheeling Nailers have signed rookie forward Jon Grecu to help bolster their offense for the upcoming season.

The 22-year-old Grecu, played his college hockey at Dartmouth University. In his senior season he played at nearly a point per game, putting up 21 points (7G, 14A) in 28 games.

Nailers under contract for next season
Jon Grecu - F
Sean Berkstresser - F
Aaron Clarke - F
Rob Sirianni - F
Andrew Lord - F
Jonathan Ornelas - F
Cedrick Bernier - F

Jeremy Scherlinck - D
Elgin Reid - D
Mike Gooch - D
Cliff Loya - D
Todd Spencer - D
Doug Krantz - D
Chris Snavely - D

Nailers With Qualifying Offers On the Table
Curtis Darling - G (signed contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton [AHL])

Players Who Were Extended Qualifying Offers Whom Signed Elsewhere For 08/09
Tyson Marsh - D (Signed with Reading)
Julien Brouillette - D (Signed with Charlotte)
Sean Collins - F (signed to play in Finland)
Steve McJannett - F (Traded to Elmira)

Under ECHL contracts:
7 - Defensemen
7 - Forwards
0 - Goalies

Nailers Re-Sign Sean Berkstresser

Updated 9-12-08
Nailers under contract for next season
Sean Berkstresser - F
Aaron Clarke - F
Rob Sirianni - F
Andrew Lord - F
Jonathan Ornelas - F
Cedrick Bernier - F

Jeremy Scherlinck - D
Elgin Reid - D
Mike Gooch - D
Cliff Loya - D
Todd Spencer - D
Doug Krantz - D
Chris Snavely - D

Nailers With Qualifying Offers On the Table
Curtis Darling - G (signed contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton [AHL])

Players Who Were Extended Qualifying Offers Whom Signed Elsewhere For 08/09
Tyson Marsh - D (Signed with Reading)
Julien Brouillette - D (Signed with Charlotte)
Sean Collins - F (signed to play in Finland)
Steve McJannett - F (Traded to Elmira)

Under ECHL contracts:
7 - Defensemen
6 - Forwards
0 - Goalies

Nailers Resign Snavely

Earlier today the Nailers resigned defenseman Chris Sanvely to add more depth to their blueline.

And what could technically be called the first "call up" of the season comes as Nailer defenseman Elgin Reid signed a contract with Wilkes-Barre Scranton. This move basically gives the Baby Pens added depth in case of injury or call ups... I hope.

Updated 9-8-08
Nailers under contract for next season
Aaron Clarke - F
Rob Sirianni - F
Andrew Lord - F
Jonathan Ornelas - F
Cedrick Bernier - F
Jeremy Scherlinck - D
Elgin Reid - D
Mike Gooch - D
Cliff Loya - D
Todd Spencer - D
Doug Krantz - D
Chris Snavely - D

Nailers With Qualifying Offers On the Table
Sean Berkstresser - F
Curtis Darling - G (signed contract with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton [AHL])

Players Who Were Extended Qualifying Offers Whom Signed Elsewhere For 08/09
Tyson Marsh - D (Signed with Reading)
Julien Brouillette - D (Signed with Charlotte)
Sean Collins - F (signed to play in Finland)
Steve McJannett - F (Traded to Elmira)

Under ECHL contracts:
7 - Defensemen
5 - Forwards
0 - Goalies

THN.com Logo Tournament

The Hockey News is holding a all-league hockey logo contest. The Wheeling Nailers survived the first round and have now advanced to the next round. They have some serious competition with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Rochester Americans, Robert Morris Colonials, Windsor Spitfires, Toronto Maple Leafs, Gwinnett Gladiators, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Toronto Marlies, and the Montreal Canadiens.

In the words of Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Diddy or whatever you call him.

Vote Or Die!

Click here

Nailers Sign Defensemen

The Nailers solidified their blue line today by signing defensemen Jeremy Scherlinck.
Scherlinck, 25, played for the Idaho Steelheads last season and also spent time in the AHL with the Iowa Stars.

Wheeling now have 6 defensemen and 5 forwards under contract for next season

Updated 9-2-08

Nailers under contract for next season
Aaron Clarke - F
Rob Sirianni - F
Andrew Lord - F
Jonathan Ornelas - F
Cedrick Bernier - F
Jeremy Scherlinck - D
Elgin Reid - D
Mike Gooch - D
Cliff Loya - D
Todd Spencer - D
Doug Krantz - D

Nailers With Qualifying Offers On the Table
Sean Berkstresser - F
Chris Snavely - D
Curtis Darling - G (signed contract with Pittsburgh)

Players Who Were Extended Qualifying Offers Whom Signed Elsewhere For 08/09
Tyson Marsh - D (Signed with Reading)
Julien Brouillette - D (Signed with Charlotte)
Sean Collins - F (signed to play in Finland)
Steve McJannett - F (Traded to Elmira)

Updated Depth Chart

Nailers under contract for next season
Aaron Clarke - F
Rob Sirianni - F
Andrew Lord - F
Jonathan Ornelas - F
Cedrick Bernier - F
Elgin Reid - D
Mike Gooch - D
Cliff Loya - D
Todd Spencer - D
Doug Krantz - D

Nailers With Qualifying Offers On the Table
Sean Berkstresser - F
Chris Snavely - D
Curtis Darling - G (signed contract with Pittsburgh)

Players Who Were Extended Qualifying Offers Whom Signed Elsewhere For 08/09
Tyson Marsh - D (Signed with Reading)
Julien Brouillette - D (Signed with Charlotte)
Sean Collins - F (signed to play in Finland)
Steve McJannett - F (Traded to Elmira)

Nailers Sign Two; Pens Add Depth in Goal

The Wheeling Nailers announced yesterday that the team has signed forwards Andrew Lord and Jonathan Ornelas.

Lord, 23, scored 17 points (6G,10A) in 37 games last season while playing his college hockey for R.P.I. Lord brings some decent size to the Nailers for next season at 6'3" and 200 pounds.

Ornelas, 22, scored 17 points (9G,8A) in 37 games for R.P.I. While Ornelas lacks in size (5'9", 175 pounds) he makes up in speed. He's basically the same kind of player as Aaron Clarke.

Both Lord and Ornelas played with former Nailer Kevin Croxton at R.P.I.


Earlier today the Pittsburgh Penguins signed two goaltenders that Nailer fans are more-than-familiar with, Adam Berkhoel and Curtis Darling.

Berkhoel split time last season between the Dayton Bombers and the Grand Rapids Griffins after being signed in the 2007 offseason by Detroit. In Dayton he went 23-17-3 and during his time in the AHL last season compiled a 10-14 record for Grand Rapids.

Berkhoel also spent time in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers going 2-4 and also backstopped the University of Denver to the 2004 NCAA title playing along side former Nailer, Jon Foster.

Darling, well was pretty much one of the few bright spots on the Nailers last season. After the Nailers season was officially over, Darling spent time in the AHL with Manchester making 12 saves on 12 shots.

This move basically gives the Pens some depth in goal in case something happens to Fleury, Sabourin or Curry as well as provide the Nailers with a veteran keeper or two. Berkhoel, Darling, or David Brown will be more-than-likely sent down to us at the beginning of the year.


Nailers under contract for next season
Aaron Clarke - F
Rob Sirianni - F
Andrew Lord - F
Jonathan Ornelas - F
Mike Gooch - D
Cliff Loya - D


Nailers With Qualifying Offers
Sean Berkstresser - F
Sean Collins - F
Steve McJannett - F
Tyson Marsh - D
Julien Brouillette - D
Chris Snavely - D
Todd Spencer - D
Curtis Darling - G

Nailers Ink Former Grizzlie

The Wheeling Nailers have signed former Utah Grizzlies forward Rob Sirianni.

Sirianni, 24, a rookie last season, had 39 points (15G-24A) and 16 penalty minutes in 39 regular season games and 11 points (4G-7A) and 18 penalty minutes in 15 Kelly Cup Playoff games.

Nailers under contract for next season
Aaron Clarke - F
Mike Gooch - D
Cliff Loya - D
Rob Sirianni - F

Nailers With Qualifying Offers
Sean Berkstresser - F
Sean Collins - F
Steve McJannett - F
Tyson Marsh - D
Julien Brouillette - D
Chris Snavely - D
Todd Spencer - D
Curtis Darling - G

Nailers Sign Defensemen, Cliff Loya

The Wheeling Nailers have signed defensemen and former team member, Cliff Loya.

Loya, 27, played for the Nailers in the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons before signing overseas in the Italian League where he notched 25 points (2G, 23A) and 78 penalty minutes in 60 games with Asiago and Cortina.

Loya scored 17 of those 25 points (2G, 15A) in 32 games with Asiago HC last season.

The signing allows the former seventh round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks the chance to play close to his hometown, Pittsburgh.

Chwedoruk Signs AHL Deal

Former Wheeling Nailer, Justin Chwedoruk, has signed with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.

Last season, Chwedoruk had 30 points (17G-13A) and 109 penalty minutes in 66 games between the Nailers and the Bakersfield Condors. He was called up at the end of the ECHL season by the Falcons.

In his three regular season games with Springfield, Chewy scored one goal and had two penalty minutes.

It's still July!

With hockey news being slower than Mark Recchi and Derian Hatcher, we need something to help pass the time by.

I revamped the site about 4 times this summer with new color schemes and new logos. After a while, it gets boring seeing the same look day in and day out.

For a while now, I've kicked around the idea of coming up with some alternative ideas for Wheeling Nailer jerseys. I really wanted to see what the jersey would look like with some different designs, so with some free time today I came up with the following. Started by making a simple blank template of a hockey jersey, and started designing all kinds of different lines and such. Plenty more will follow throughout the summer. Here is my first round of jerseys.

This is my first time ever trying to make anything like this. The following are not the greatest, qualitywise, but I hope you like 'em.

Jersey 1


Jersey 2


Jersey 3


Jersey 4


Jersey 5

Joe Jensen Signs Two-Way With Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes announced that they have signed former Wheeling Nailer, Joe Jensen to a one-year two-way contract.

Jensen, 25, made his NHL debut on February 18th 2008, against New Jersey. He scored one goal in six games with the Hurricanes last season.

Carolina acquired the Jensen from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 31, 2008, in exchange for forward David Gove.

Jensen was drafted by the Penguins in the eighth round, 232nd overall, in 2004. His new contract will pay him $522,500 at the NHL level, and $50,000 at the minor-league level.

Bissonnette Inks One-Year; Two-Way deal.

Last year at this time, the much talked about feud between the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and defensemen Paul Bissonnette hit at a boiling point. So much so that the Penguins had told Bissonnette to stay home and not report to training camp because it was inevitable that he would be traded. Both parties at the time agreed, the honeymoon was over. The once 19-year-old who almost made the NHL in his first training camp was all-but-gone.

What a long strange trip it has been. Today Bissonnette has signed a two-way deal, for 1 year with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bissonnette was an RFA after the 2007-2008 season.

Bissonnette patched up his reputation with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coaches after being called up from Wheeling last season. After his call-up to WBS last season, Bissonnette was asked to play left wing, which he did. Bissonnette put up 8 points with the Baby Pens (3G, 5A) in 46 games this past season. He also compiled 26 fighting majors for the Baby Pens.

Congrats "Champ"

Commissioner Francios Leroux: From Laying the smack down, to laying the law down.

Former Wheeling Nailer and NHL toughman Francois Leroux will be the new commissioner of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League. Leroux, famous for his being a toughguy in the NHL by bashing faces in with his fist will now be the man who puts his fist down when it comes to hockey operations.

Leroux was named commissioner of the recently formed league at a conference held earlier today.

According to the league press release, "Leroux will be responsible for refining the MAHL’s efforts to develop young talent and move players and coaches from the “A” level to higher levels of hockey including the ECHL, Central Hockey League and International Hockey League."

For those of you who don't know, the MAHL is a lower-level developmental league for former college and junior players looking to move up the ranks in the hockey world. Former Nailer Justin Depretis tore up this league last season by scoring 93 points in 29 games. That says a lot about the skill level of the league.

Leroux will have his hands full as commissioner mainly because of the financial situation of most of the teams throughout the league. The league canceled the remainder of the 2007-08 season and suspended operations on February 12, 2008 and the Indiana Ice Minors were declared champions.

Two teams folded (Mon Valley Thunder and Valley Forge Freedom) and two others have relocated since. The Wooster Warriors relocated to Trenton, Michigan for the upcoming season and the Jamestown Vikings have moved to Auburn Township, Ohio. Currently, the league has seven teams ready to play for the upcoming season.

Former Nailers Inking Deals Elsewhere

The Phoenix Coyotes have signed former Wheeling Nailers defenseman Drew Fata.

Fata, younger brother of former NHLer, Rico Fata, was selected in the third round (86th overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, the 23 year old played for Wheeling in each of his first three seasons tallying 35 points (16G-19A) and 261 penalty minutes in 84 regular season games.

He has played with limited NHL experience over the past two seasons with the New York Islanders. Fata has two points in his NHL career, (1g-1a) and nine penalty minutes in eight regular games while also appearing in one Stanley Cup Playoff game.


Fata will join former Nailer Daniel Carcillo in Phoenix. The Coyotes won't have to worry about team toughness this season as they have signed Brian McGrattan, Todd Fedoruk, Daniel Carcillo, Drew Fata, Francis Lessard. I'd love to check out that training camp. Those could be some blood baths.

Adam Henrich is back in Nailers' organizations, kind of, as he signed a one year deal with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

In 12 games with the Nailers last season, Henrich tallied 20 points (10G, 10A). He was called up to Norfolk of the AHL and put up good numbers in 43 games with 31 points (14G, 17A)

WBS GM Chuck Fletcher believes that Henrich has the ability to play on any line in the AHL, weather it be a top-line power forward or a fourth-line grinder.

Nailers Ink First Two Players For 2008-2009 Season

The Wheeling Nailers have signed its first two players of the season as both forward Aaron Clarke and defenseman Mike Gooch resigned with the team today.

Clarke, 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Peterborough, Ontario Navive dressed for 60 games for the Nailers scoring 19 goals, 17 assists for 36 points while accumulating 49 penalty minutes as a rookie.

Gooch, 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, played for the Nailers after finishing up his senior season at Neumann College near Philadelphia. Gooch dressed for 9 games with the Nailers last season, mostly on weekends because he was still enrolled in classes. During those 9 games, Gooch has one point and 8 penalty minutes.

Other Nailer tidbits.

Former captian Sean Collins will be playing in Finland next season and Curtiss Patrick will be playing for the Basingstoke Bisonof the Elite League.

Nailers Claim Rights To 3 Columbia Inferno Players

The Wheeling Nailers have cashed in on a few of their future considerations from trades they made earlier in the season as they have acquired the rights to defensemen Tyson Marsh and Julien Brouillette and forward Steve McJannet from the Columbia Inferno.

Marsh, a 23-year-old 6'1" 215lb defensemen is strong on the puck and uses his strength to his advantage. He appeared in 61 games for the Inferno with 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points and 126 penalty minutes in 2007-08. Marsh is currently playing in the AHL with the Rockford Icehogs where in the regular season he played 11 games racking up 4 points (2G,2A). Marsh also has 2 points in the playoffs with the Icehogs both being assist. Marsh has 54 games of AHL experience between St. Johns, Toronto and Rockford.

Brouillette, a 20-year-old, 5'11" 185lb defensemen, had 17 points in 67 games in his rookie season with the Inferno. Brouillette had 4 points in the Kelly Cup playoffs with Columbia, all 4 were assist.

McJannett, a 26-year-old winger, had 36 points for the Inferno (16G,20A) as well as 105 penalty minutes in 54 games for the Inferno this past season. McJannett was second on the Inferno in points with 12 (1G,11A) during the 2008 Kelly Cup playoffs.

Former Nailer Goalie Danny Taylor Called up To NHL

The Los Angeles Kings recalled former Wheeling Nailer goaltender Danny Taylor from their American Hockey League affiliate Manchester Monarchs.

Taylor has a 13-5-2 record, a 2.40 goal-against average and four shutouts with Manchester this season.

Taylor, 21, was selected by the Kings in the seventh round of the 2004 draft.

The Kings brought up Taylor to fill the void left by veteran Dan Cloutier, who is suffering from a groin injury. As a result, Manchester signed Curtis Darling to a PTO yesterday.

Nailers claim defensemen Chad Brownlee

The Wheeling Nailers continued their recent trend of signing players toward the end of the year when they claimed the rights to defensemen Chad Brownlee after he had been released from the Idaho Steelheads.
Brownlee, a 23-year-old rookie out of Minnesota-Mankato, is a defensive defenseman who doesn’t shy away from the physical aspects of the game. Which is one thing Wheeling has lacked for the better part of the year. Brownlee is aggressive and has an in-your-face style of play. He has great work ethic and possesses great skating ability and his transitioning is decent and he also possesses very good passing skills. He's 6’2 195lbs so he has good size, but he could use a bit more weight.
Brownlee was transferred to the 30-day IR earlier this season by the Steelheads and was rumored to be heading to the Gwinnett Gladiators after his name appeared on Gladiators coach Jeff Pyle's white board on the same night that he expressed extreme dissatisfaction with his entire blue line.
Brownlee was a 6th-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2003 and was named team captain of Minnesota State University – Mankato for the 2006-2007 season. He also received the Don Brose Leadership Award as a senior at MSU-Mankato.
While he sounds like a promising pickup, lets just hold our fingers crossed that he actually shows. We've been stiffed plenty this season.

New Faces

The Wheeling Nailers signed defensemen Jake Luthi to a contract earlier today. Luthi played 8 games for the Alaska Ace's last season and has not laced up for a single game this season. Luthi played his college hockey at RPI where he put up good offensive numbers in his four years.

As you probably already noticed, Sean Berkstresser has also recently signed with the Nailers. Berkstresser played his college hockey with current Nailer Aaron Clarke at Robert Morris University. This past season, Berkstresser was third in scoring for the Pioneers.

And what might be the biggest signing recently is 19-year oldMatt Dias a forward from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario who played his junior hockey with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL. This season Matt has 42 points for the Wolves (19G,23A).

Dias was invited to the Pittsburgh Penguin's rookie camp this past September, but was unable to participate due to contractual issues so he was returned back to his junior team.

Dias has played with current Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin and former Wheeling Nailer defensemen, Jon D'Aversa as well as current New York Ranger defensemen, Marc Staal while playing for the Sudbury Wolves.

Shorthanded weekend.

Just when I said that it's been slow news-wise, it figures something would go down and the Nailers will be short a couple of players for this weekends games.

The Nailers' will be without the services of Gino Pisellini, Aaron Boogaard and Kelly Miller for the next couple games relating to their involvement in Wednesday nights game against Cincinnati.

Pisellini's suspension is the longest of the three as he has been suspended seven games and fined an undisclosed for leaving the players’ bench and fighting other than during the periods of the game.

Boogaard has been suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount for fighting other than during the periods of the game.

Miller has been suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount for instigating and fighting other than during the periods of the game.

An interview with Paul Bissonette (By Ben Lovejoy)

Typically I am not one for cutting and pasting, but this was rather good and well, news has been rather slow. This interview is from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin, Ben Lovejoy's blog. I highly encourage you to check it out. It's a very good read. Very witty.

----------------------------------------------

Q: Tell me about your heritage, Paul? Where is your family from?
A: I live in Welland, Ontario, which is in Canada. As for my heritage, it is kind of a complex mathematical equation. I’m ¼ African-American, 1/8 Mike Tyson, 2/7ths Caucasian, 1/15 Black Wrapper, 1/16th Coyote, and the rest of me is Canadian-Savage.

Q: You have an interesting nickname. Can you tell us about it?
A: When I was nine years old, my first girlfriend broke up with me because she said I was too “nasty.” Just kidding, it is actually because of how horrible the tattoo on my arm looks. When I first came home with it, my mother was so disgusted with it she started calling me “Nasty.” When I started playing junior hockey, and was beating everyone up all the time, my teammates started calling me “Biznasty.”

Q: Tell me about your tattoos. Do they have any meaning?
A: The one on my arm is obviously a Halloween scene. It is really cool once a year, but the rest of the year, I really regret having it ‘cause it looks kind of dumb. I’m not really sure the significance of the one on my back. When Tiger Woods came on the scene, I realized it was cool to mix Black and Chinese cultures, so I had to get a Chinese symbol. I went to the tattoo parlor and asked for the biggest Chinese symbol I could possibly get. I’m not really sure what it means, but I also look pretty good without a shirt on.

Q: Many aspiring fighters often want to fight Dennis Bonvie because he was one of their role models growing up as young “meatheads.” Who were some of your role models growing up?
A: Apollo Creed.

Q: When you first came to Wilkes-Barre this year, you had an interesting haircut – a Mohawk. While you had this Mohawk, you seemed to be losing a lot of fights. Did you blame your lack of pugilistic success on that brutal haircut?
A: Much like the biblical character Samson, I seemed to have lost my strength when my hair was cut off. Luckily, hair grows quickly, and I am back to beating the crap out of people.

Q: You wear #20 for the Penguins. If you could wear any number, what number would you wear?
A: #103, but probably about #115 by the end of the year.

Q: Now that you are a skilled goal scorer, you have obviously stopped fighting. Imagine back to the days you were a tough guy and tell us, in a hypothetical fight between you and Dennis Bonvie, who wins?
A: I’d “one punch” that old man!

You say goodbye... I say hello to future considerations.

Coach Puhalski was busy as could be today by making a couple deals.

One of Coach Puhalski's deals had sent defensemen Chris Brooks and Jeremy Swanson to the Columbia Inferno for future considerations.

Swanson would not be gone long from the North Division, as later in the day, Columbia had dealt Swanson to the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Coach P's second move today sent Matt Johnson to the Elmira Jackals for more future considerations.

Houle's Your Daddy

Wheeling Nailer Goalie Martin Houle has been recalled to the Philadelphia Phantoms.

Houle was recalled today because the San Jose Sharks signed Phantoms goalie Brian Boucher to a one-year contract thus leaving the Phantoms with only Scott Munroe.

Wheeling, on-the-other-hand, is now left with only Curtis Darling and Billy Higgins until Puhalski makes a move for a keeper.

Wheeling released forward Tanner Fogarty today after activating him off IR

Go Joe!

Former Wheeling Nailer Joe Jensen became the 349th ECHL player and the 32nd Wheeling Nailer to play in the National Hockey League after playing in the ECHL when he made his debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in a 5-1 loss at New Jersey today.

Jensen logged 7:37 of ice-time in todays game and recorded two shots against Martin Brodeur.

To make room for Jensen on the roster, the Hurricanes placed team captain Rod Brind’Amour on injured reserve after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a February 14 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins and will miss the remainder of the season.

***Edit***
Apparently Jensen didn't feel all that well during his NHL debut yesterday as he became violently ill and was taken to the hospital via ambulance.

Here's what former Nailer coach and current Hurricane coach had to say about Jensen.
"He was throwing up during the game, between periods, to the point where I told him to take his gear off."
Jensen was treated and released and has been sent back to Albany of the AHL.
***

Jon Krall, signed a contract with the Nailers today. Seems like a solid pickup, the only downside is, is that he has not played since the 2004-2005 season.

The Nailers traded away Adam Henrich's rights to Elmira. (echl.com).

I guess if you were holding out hope that Norfolk would release him from his PTO, stop dreaming. Elmira just got a lot better for the playoff run, because Norfolk will more than likely not make the AHL playoffs and will more-than-likely send Henny back down.

Where O' Where To Place Blame?

I haven't read the paper today but... I hear it was a rip-fest.
It is frustrating to see how the season has gone.

It's unbelievable really.

Below, I have broken down two list...

Johnson, Guenther, Radovich, Brynes, Miller and Fogarty were all ECHL contracts brought in by Puhalski.

Collins, Chwedoruk, Swanson, Slivchenko, Clarke, Spencer, Young and Snavely were ECHL contracts the "nameless" guy brought in currently on the team. Not to mention Henrich as a free agent.

I think one of those list looks significantly better; in my own opinion, I don't think it's Puhalski's. (No offense to Coach Puhalski either, it's hard to take over a team mid season.)

However, we'd be lost for sure without guys like Collins, Chwedoruk and Clarke... Especially without the intensity of Chewy and Clarke. They seem to play hard every game.

It's hard enough (for ANY coach) to compete with a team full of ECHL only contracts, but that's what happens when you have the amount of injuries your affiliates have had.

Pittsburgh has been crushing us with call-ups (currently they have 8) and on top of that is the lack of players we have received from Philly. (currently we have 2 from the Fliers. That's the same amount we have from Pittsburgh right now too.)

It's just been a bad year. No one at the beginning of this season could've imagined all these call-ups. Actually I think that everyone was pretty amped when they saw the collection of talent that coach Patrick had on board.

You can place the blame on a coach (or coaches) all you want, but I think you can't really blame this season on a coach or coaches. Instead, I think it's more correct to blame it on a series of really, really unfortunate circumstances...

No one could've known that Manson would retire. Our defense was really not the same after he left.

Had Puhalski had control of the team from the start,
I really don't think this season would be much different.

Actually, he has done nothing to sure up our defense since he's been here. Instead he continuously has picked up UHL-level forwards while we continue give up over 40 shots a game.

I wish I had a real, tangible answer... but I don't I guess.

ECW! ECW!

Wow, Wheeling has lost five in a row and 10 of our past 11. I guess firing a coach rarely cures all.

Anyway, this should entertain you. Here's a clip from a recent Youngstown Steelhounds game where Andy Franck and Scott Reid get into it. Quality video. The announcer is insane and sounds like the old ECW announcer.

After the goalie fight, check out the 3:35 mark... Unreal. It's so pro-wrestling.

The Return

Things have been slower than ever lately... It feels like summer already with the lack of big news... But none-the-less. I digress.


Dateline: December 5, 2007... The last time Gino Pisellini has been in the Nailer line-up.

Before losing Pisellini to the IR, the Nailers were basically a .500 team going 8-8-2.
While Pisellini was out-of-action, Wheeling was a measley 6-17-3. It's not far fetched to say that they lacked a certian punch that Pisellini brought to the team. Some much needed energy and grit.

Dateline: February 6, 2008... Over two months later will Pisellini be a cure for what ales the Nailers? It definitely couldn't hurt. At the very least, maybe we'll actually have a fight to look forward to at home games.



Welcome back Gino!

Say It Ain't Joe!

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a trade today that hits close to home for Nailer fans.

Former Wheeling Nailer, Joe Jensen, has been traded to the Carolina Hurricaines and in returnthe Penguins have acquired forward David Gove.

Gove has played 45 games this season scoring 23 points (8G,15A) for the Albany River Rats of the AHL.

Gove also has some NHL experience to his credentials as he made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes during the 2005-06 season recording a point in his only game in the NHL that season coming by way of an assist. Gove appeared in one game for Carolina during the 2006-07 season but failed to register a single point.

In parts of seven seasons in the AHL, Gove has scored 198 points (80G,118A) in 393 games.

Gove is scheduled to report to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Bad Blood or just business?

We thought we may see it with the affiliation with Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, friends one day, enemy's the next, but tonight in Norfolk, former Nailer teammates Adam Henrich and Paul Bissonnette fought each other at 11:18 in the second period tonight. Bissonnette dropped Henrich with a right to the back of the head.
Henrich has a birthday tomorrow, maybe this is Bissonnette's way of saying happy birthday Henny...
Bissonnette was in the starting lineup for the WBS Penguins tonight.

5 Is The Magic Number

Nailers vs. Devils 7:05

With a win tonight the Nailers (13-20-4) will jump Trenton(14-19-3) in the standings for the all important fifth and final playoff spot and keep their point streak going to 5 games.

Wheeling leads the season series 2-1-1.

New addition Matt Johnson has had a game winner in the previous two Nailer wins.

Wheeling is currently riding a hot streak, going 4-0-1 since new head coach "Gary" Puhalski took the reigns. (trentondevils.com) leave it to Trenton to get someones name wrong. Idiots.

Coach GREG Puhalski turns Nailers around (ECHL)

While Trenton coach Dick Kowalsky will have plenty of white towels on hand tonight for the tantrums expected from such a crybaby...


If you feel the need to bring some of your own,
he may need some extras. It's a long season.

You're suppose to use the towels to wipe off your face after a good Sean Collins face-washing, but waving it in surrender always motivates your team.

Douche...

Morale on the Trenton bench must be as low as Rosie O'Donnells' metabolism and self esteem combined after losing 4 out of their last 5 games.

Yikes! She's really let herself go.

The Devils look to the addition of Jason Bonsignore to give them the edge in tonights contest. (Trentondevils.com) Bonsignore has some size and is an NHL Vet and stuff.
Whatever... In 7 games with Fresno this season he totaled two assist.

Wheeling should have Curtiss Patrick back in the lineup today as he was released from his PTO in Springfield (AHL) yesterday.

Saw this on the ECHL website today... John Brophy's ECHL 480 wins will soon be surpassed. Probably not by Dick Kowalsky, as he coaches from the stands.

Nailers Win!

Nailers win tonight 4-1 as they beat Dayton for only the 3rd time this season.
Tifu got a point, but he's still a woman.

Need any more proof?
I didn't think so.

Wheeling put 3 behind Jeremy Duchesne with goals by Vadim Slivchinko, Matt Johnson and Kevin Croxton. Aaron Clarke added an empty netter to make the win more concrete.

Duchesne didn't know what happened tonight.
His middle name is really Summers Eve.



His parents must've liked him enough to not make it his first name.

This pretty much sums up how Nailers fans feel the past couple games.

Let the good times roll!

Some of you may remember TJ. Reynolds from his days with the Nailers... well, last night he got knocked out!

Ouch.

Lots to catch up on...

The ECHL announced today that Wheeling Nailer defenseman Jon D'Aversa will replace teammate Paul Bissonnette on the American Conference roster for the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game.
D'Aversa, 22,has 17 points (3g-14a) and 43 penalty minutes in 22 games with Wheeling.

::Edit::
The curse strikes again as hours after D'Aversa was announced to take Paul Bissonnettes' ECHL All Star Spot, he was recalled to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

::End Edit::

Moving Up
Pittsburgh Penguins reassigned forward Joe Jensen from Wheeling to
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and WBS recalled forward Ned Havern from Wheeling.
Havern was going to be in the lineup because Dennis Bonvie was
scratched because of back spasms. However, WBS coach Todd
Richards accidentally listed Havern as a scratch and when he got to
the faceoff circle to take his first shift, the referee told Havern that he
wasn't on the roster. So Havern had to go back to the locker room.
Nice.

Curtiss Patrick also had a brief stint up being recalled to the
Springfield Falcons of the AHL.

Currently the Nailers have 10 players called up to the AHL.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton: David Brown, John Curry, Paul Bissonnette, Ned Havern, Mark Letestu, Joe Jensen, Kyle Rank, Jon D'Aversa.
Philadelphia: David Laliberte
Norfolk: Adam Henrich

Moving Back
The Wheeling Nailers have claimed forward Joe Guenther
off waivers from the Florida Everblades.
The Guenther has two assists and four penalty minutes in
five games with Elmira and four points (2G,2A) and
10 PIM in 19 games with Florida.
Last season in Wheeling, Guenther played in all 72 games
and was third on the team with 26 goals and 42 points.

Just Moving
The Nailers also signed B.J. Radovich who played for Puhalski in Chicago (UHL).
Radovich was traded to the Kalamazoo Wings (UHL) mid season.

Forward Matt Johnson who played part of this season with the Augusta Lynx, but is now enrolled at Providence College. Seems like an odd situation... We'll see what pans out I guess. In 7 games with Augusta, Johnson had one goal.

Forward Kelly Miller who also played for Coach Puhalski in Fort Wayne and Chicago.
No, we did not sign the former NHL Player. We only save those roster spots for Mario's Friends.

"Want to see a house?"


John Burton has been released from the team to make room for the UHL invasion.



Did a google search on Kelly Miller found some interesting things.

*Kelly Miller, the first Black mathematics graduate student

*Welcome to Kelly Miller Circus.Com

*WNBA.com: Kelly Miller Playerfile

*Portfolio Website - Miller Photography - Kelly Miller

Miller is from the craptown of Toledo however...
It feels like an infestation with these Toledo ties... I feel dirty all of a sudden.

What's next? Attard? Zultek? Rob Snowball?
He's the only guy I know that drops the soap more than he drops his gloves,
and if his hockey game is any indication, he's getting crushed.


"Hey guys, lets hit the showers. I'll drop."

God, I hope not.

Du You Wanna Trade? Sure, What the Falk?

Correction:
Kevin Du's suspension has been lifted and his rights have NOT been traded away to the Johnstown Chiefs. He was actually suspended again thus retaining his rights.
There was a typo in the transactions yesterday on ECHL.com that was later fixed and brought to my attention.

Du left Wheeling to play overseas in China and then went on to play for the Hannover Indians of the GerObL.

A trade was made with Johnstown yesterday for future considerations, in return Wheeling gets right handed forward Mike Falk and shortly after the trade Falk has been suspended by the Nailers.

Seriously, who wants to be traded to a last place team? We may have received more for the rights to Du if we had asked for a bag of Tostitos.


They're great with salsa or Wendy's chili... or any chili for that matter

Anyway, Falk has played for 3 teams this season (probably another reason he doesn't seem to want to come to Wheeling). Mississippi Sea Wolves, Charlotte Checkers and the Johnstown Chiefs. In 13 games for Mississippi, Falk had 4 points (1G, 3A). Falk had one point (an assist) in 4 games for Charlotte and in his 10 games for Johnstown, Falk registered 5 points (3G, 2A).

It'd be nice if he actually showed up, but I won't hold my breath.

In other news, the Wheeling Nailers are sending another person to the ECHL All Star game in Stockton, CA.

Athletic Trainer Jerry Duncan... or as he is politely referred to in Trenton...

Twinkie.



Let it be known that Twinkie the Kid is in no way related to Sidney Crosby.

It just goes to show you that the ECHL must even feel sorry for us. Not one of our current players made the team... but an all-star radio broadcaster (who is actually really good) and an athletic trainer going to Stockton help to ease the pain I guess... but so would Jello shots.

Moves Made

Forwards David Laliberte and Vadim Slivchenko have been assigned to the Philadelphia Phantoms by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Laliberte has 2 points in 5 games with the Phantoms this season (1G,1A) while Slivchenko, the native of Kharkov, Ukraine, gets his first chance to show the AHL that the Ukraine is NOT WEAK in his 20'th professional season.


These transactions leaves Wheeling with only 8 healthy forwards for this weekend. Someone, probably Snavely, will once again skating up on the 3rd line.

Greg Puhalski Named Coach of Nailers

Greg Puhalski will be announced at a press conference as the next
coach of the Wheeling Nailers while Glenn Patrick will remain as
a scout for the organization.

Last season Puhalski went 31-38-0-7 and was named Coach of the Year
with the Chicago of the UHL for the second time.

The other came with the Fort Wayne Komets during the 2002/2003 season
in which Fort Wayne went 44-21-0-11 and won the Colonial Cup in the UHL.

Puhalski is the all-time United Hockey League leader in career victories and
brings over ten years of coaching experience to Wheeling.

Prior to Puhalski’s time at Fort Wayne, he spent four seasons as Head Coach for the East Coast Hockey team the Toledo Storm and posted a .638 winning percentage and 1995-1996 divisional title. Immediately following, Puhalski joined the Port Huron Border Cats of the UHL and posted back to back winning seasons until joining the Komets in 2000.

However Coach Puhalski was once petitioned to be fired from the UHL Komets,
mainly because of lack of passion from behind the bench.


Sound familiar?

To learn another lesson from R.L. Stine.

Be careful what you wish for.

Puhalski spent his professional playing days with the now defunct, Toledo Storm.

New Year... New Coach... New Goalie

The clock hit midnight for Glenn Patrick as he is out as coach of the
Wheeling Nailers after spending three seasons behind the bench.
During his tenure Patrick compiled an 86-75-3-12 record.
Patrick will still remain with the Nailers organization but just not as a coach.

A replacement will be made at a press conference tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.
at the Nailers office on Main Street.

Although former Toledo Storm coach, Nick Vitucci seems to be a front-runner
at this time. Rumors also have Derek Clancey, who coached the Jackson Bandits
and the Reading Royals in the ECHL and was an assistant coach for the
Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. Clancey is now a scout in the
Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Also rumored is former UHL
(Fort Wayne and Chicago) coach Greg Puhalski.

More on this story as it develops.

The Nailers also made a trade with the Charlotte Checkers getting Goalie,
Curtis Darling. Darling spent time in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch
appearing in relief for one game making 4 saves on 4 shots.