Nailer News

Caputi and D'Aversa.

2009-03-04T12:32:00.001-05:00

Luca Caputi and Jon D'Aversa were sent to Wheeling today for disciplinary reasons. Much like Daniel Carcillo a few seasons ago.

The call ups keep coming.

2009-02-09T12:30:00.002-05:00

With Bryan Ewing (WBS) and Erik Johnson (NOR) loaned to American Hockey League teams this week, it brings the current list of players that are called up to 9. For the life of me, I cannot remember a time when the Nailers' have had so many called up at one time. With Ruslan Fedotenko coming back as early as this Wednesday, Wheeling may see Ewing back in town by this weekend, possibly even for Wednesday's game against Trenton.

In Wilkes-Barre/Scranton:
Bryan Ewing
Nick Johnson
Tommy Goebel
Reid Cashman

In Philadelphia:
Rob Sirianni

In Springfield:
Shane Willis

In Binghamton:
Aaron Clarke

In Portland:
Cliff Loya

In Norfolk:
Erik Johnson

Wha'chu talkin bout Willis?

2009-01-13T19:44:00.002-05:00

The Nailers signed former NHL forward Shane Willis as a player/assistant coach.

Willis, 31, was in Columbus Bluejacket training camp but was unable to reach an agreement with the Bluejacket's affiliate Syracuse. He missed all but one game last year with Milwaukee with a neck injury.

More help is on the way in the form of Aaron Clarke who was also released from his PTO with Binghamton earlier today.

David Brown was placed on the 7-day injured reserve after spraining his knee in Dayton on Saturday.

Big Trouble in Little Wheeling

2009-01-08T12:35:00.003-05:00

Last night it appeared that the Wheeling Nailers would be moving to Youngstown, this morning it is all in the air. Owners Rob and Jim Brooks have both denied intentions of moving the team. In an article released this morning by the Youngstown Vindy, the story thickens.

In a quote to the Vindy, Bruce Zoldan said, “They (The Brooks Brothers) are embarrassed in front of their Wheeling fans and Wheeling facility and being questioned by the Wheeling media. If security or confidentiality was breached, it wasn’t done intentionally.”

Of course if a team were to relocate there would be some sort of confidentiality until the end of the season, because you wouldn't want to cause an uproar in your current community.
However, Youngstown has until January 21st to submit their paperwork to the ECHL offices in order to be eligble for the 2009-2010 season. The fate of next seasons team will be more clear once that deadline has passed.

I believe Rob and Jim when they say they are going full steam ahead with being here next season, I also believe that if attendance isn't increasing, that they may be forced to do the unthinkable. Until then, I would take advantage of the team that we have by attending games and supporting the Nailers. Afterall, they are having a heck of a season.

For the meantime, the team is still here and if the citizens of Wheeling still want it here, the ball (or puck) is in their court (or rink) if you will.

News Tidbits

2009-01-06T18:04:00.003-05:00

Nailers made a trade with the Idaho Steelheads for rookie defensemen Kelly Sullivan. Sullivan, spent 4 years playing college hockey for UMass-Lowell. He's skated in 13 games for Idaho this season. This move puzzles me a little because currently we're short on forwards. It appears that Snavely for the time being, will continue to find himself on the wing.

Coach Puhulski will join Rob Sirianni, Tommy Goebel and Nick Johnson as he has been selected to co-coach the American Conference for 2009 All Star Game along with Johnstown Chiefs coach Ian Herbers.

News on the Nailers possibly moving to Youngstown as early as next season is really starting to heat up.

Cedrick Bernier has been waived and signed with the Charlotte Checkers. David Mitchell is expected to pick up Bernier's role on the team.

Tim Wallace Called up to NHL

2008-12-09T21:30:00.004-05:00

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...

2008-10-28T20:04:00.004-04:00

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...

2008-10-15T21:18:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-13T23:10:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-09T19:02:00.006-04:00

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

2008-10-06T12:33:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-03T19:12:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-28T19:24:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-27T10:31:00.002-04:00

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

2008-09-26T17:09:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-09-16T17:28:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-12T18:09:00.001-04:00

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

2008-09-08T17:05:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-05T15:14:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-02T17:24:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-27T19:40:00.005-04:00

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

2008-08-15T19:10:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-12T17:27:00.003-04:00

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

2008-08-08T00:22:00.003-04:00

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

2008-07-30T08:03:00.002-04:00

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!

2008-07-25T19:42:00.003-04:00

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

2008-07-23T20:28:00.002-04:00

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.

2008-07-19T15:04:00.004-04:00

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.

2008-07-19T09:44:00.002-04:00

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

2008-07-09T06:20:00.004-04:00

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

2008-07-07T19:14:00.002-04:00

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

2008-05-08T20:51:00.008-04:00

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

2008-03-28T22:56:00.003-04:00

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

2008-03-26T12:18:00.002-04:00

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

2008-03-24T22:34:00.003-04:00

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.

2008-03-13T21:25:00.000-04:00

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)

2008-03-13T11:03:00.000-04:00

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.

2008-03-05T19:51:00.001-05:00

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

2008-02-26T19:57:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-02-18T18:31:00.000-05:00

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?

2008-02-12T17:18:00.001-05:00

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!

2008-02-09T11:46:00.000-05:00

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

2008-02-06T18:59:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-01-31T22:28:00.000-05:00

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?

2008-01-18T20:35:00.000-05:00

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

2008-01-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-01-12T22:43:00.000-05:00

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...

2008-01-10T11:48:00.001-05:00

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?

2008-01-03T21:58:00.000-05:00

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

2008-01-03T16:30:00.000-05:00

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

2008-01-02T13:01:00.001-05:00

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

2008-01-01T17:50:00.000-05:00

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.

Nailer News Is Now... Basement News

2007-12-29T00:22:00.000-05:00

It's kind of hard to place a blame for being in the basement.

Sure you can say Call-ups, Injuries or Coaching and all three are cop-outs really.

All teams deal with injuries and call-ups during the season. It's part of the game.
When it comes down to brass tax, the players are the ones that need to execute and they can't even get the puck beyond the red line without puking all over themselves.

We all place blame somewhere, I place blame on adversity.
It's been our biggest enemy this season and it started by not being able to win on the road. It was only a matter of time before we either got our game together on road ice or it would start to take it's toll on the friendly confines of Wes Banco Arena.

I think these next few pictures says it all about where we are in our season.

This is a must read for the team. Thanks R.L. Stine

A few pictures came our way the past couple days..
This is rumored to be Martin Houle.

Maybe the bag is screening the shots?

Jim Brooks? Rob Brooks?

This is me at the bar after the game, because the basement is too cold and dark to not be hammered.

Put me in coach... I'm ready to play.

Things are looking uglier than Jeremy Roenick.

And that's pretty ugly.

As a Nailer fan, we've all been trying to find ways to cope... this may help.

At least there's still moondog bobble head night to look forward to.

Bissonnette Named To ECHL Allstar Team

2007-12-20T15:57:00.000-05:00

Other than Paul Bissonnette has been named to the 2007/2008 ECHL Allstar game for the second straight season, not too much news today.

Whoever runs the Nailer website must not know who Paul Bissonnette is because this is the picture that they had online to go with the story.

Justin Chwedoruk... nice. Maybe they are really in love with their photoshop, or maybe they put Chwedoruk's head on Bissonnette's body? I don't know, but if that's the case, I say we take both players and create Paulstin Chwedonnette. That'd be one intense mofo.

Speaking of intense players... The daily Gino Pisellini fight is:
Gino Pisellini vs. Scott Todd - Round 1

The Nailers are back in town tomorrow night to face the Elmira Jackles, who last time came to town to relax and go home with an easy win. The most action in that game was the fans giving them the business as they sat in the entrance way between periods. I guess they wanted to lengthen their stay this time and stay for two games.

Time To Make A Run...

2007-12-19T11:52:00.000-05:00

No time like the present to make a run at moving up the standings as the Nailers play seven of their next nine games on home ice where they’ve compiled a 7-3-1-1 record. Consiquently, the Nailers are 2-10-0-1 on the road.

On a positive note,if you look at the ECHL North Division standings, the top five teams make the playoffs and the Nailers are tied for that final spot. That's a good sign considering our top six scorers have missed large parts of the season because of early season call-ups and an injury or two, not to mention that we've had more goalies start in net than Pam Anderson has had husbands with six.

"I get around"

Coach Patrick gave word earlier today that Nathan Marsters will get the nod tonight. In his debut with Wheeling on Saturday night, he stopped 50 of 52 shots to record the victory. Here's to hoping he's in beast mode tonight and the word from Marsters is that he's ready to go...

"Beast mode activated!"

Wilkes_Barre/Scrantons leading scorer Jeff Taffe has received a call-up from Pittsburgh. Not entirely sure as to why, my guess is that they're banking that Ryan Malone's (flu/leg infection) or Erik Christensen (Neck) might not be able to play or maybe Connor James is being sent back down. If James comes back down, it would have to happen today because the NHL's Christmas roster freeze begins. If James isn't sent down, one of the Nailers might get a look.

Nailers who could get a call-up if Connor James isn't sent down: Joe Jensen, Aaron Boogaard, Ned Haven, Kevin Croxton.

Besides the call-ups, injuries have begun to take their toll. Defensemen Seamus Young and Curtiss Patrick, along with rugged forward Gino Pisellini are all currently on the injured reserved list.

Curtiss had a checkup on his finger this morning and Seamus Young should be back in the lineup tonight after he received a scare a couple games ago when he took a stick between the eyes. If the stick would have been a couple inches to either side, Young’s career could have been over. Pretty serious stuff.

Francois Leroux has been placed on the 3-day IR. He's probably just out of gas and will catch back up with the rest of the team when they head back to Wheeling. We'll let you know if it's anything more than just being fatigued

Pisilleni’s injury seems to be a little more severe as he has been placed on the 30-day IR with a concussion.

Perhaps this announcer needs a beating for mispronouncing Pisilleni.

Get it right! It's PISS-ill-LEAN-E fool!

The Nailers also added forward John Burton to the team. Burton took part in Nailers training camp this summer before he was cut. In the past two seasons played 8 games in the UHL between Flint and Chicago. 0 goals, 0 assist, 0 points.

The Marsters Mash

2007-12-17T20:02:00.000-05:00

Wheeling finally ended a 9-game skid this weekend. Nathan Marsters made his Nailer/2007/2008 season debut a memorable one as he turned aside 50 of 52 shots in the Nailers win. His save percentage is a staggering .962.

That's disgusting.

Was it just me or is Justin Chwedoruk as intense as they come? He's bringing some much needed energy to the team... and that's definitely something we've lacked since Adam Henrich was called up. By the way, looks like someone in the Nailers front office had the great idea to photoshop Chwedoruk's head on one of the other Nailers body. Nice photoshop, Picaso..

Obviously, The Champ does not approve...

"I don't like it!"

Wheeling has claimed forward Patrick Bordeleau from the Charlotte Checkers off of the waiver-wire. Bordeleau has played in 10 games for the Checkers this season and has three points on a goal and two assists.

To make room for the Bordeleau, both Jon Foster and Joe Santilli were put on waivers today.Australian for you've just been cut...

I'm kind of puzzled by this move, they could've just released Santilli, but none-the-less, they didn't and I'm puzzled, especially since Gino Pisellini is not yet ready to come off of the IR.
We really should post a daily Pisellini fight video every day until his return just to tide us over. So here it goes.

Gino vs. Louis Robitaille

Lets stay out of the basement.

2007-12-13T19:56:00.000-05:00

With the basement looming, the Nailers have been busy tending to their depleted roster. There will be more new faces than Michael Jackson this weekend.
"weee heeee"

Former Wheeling Nailer/Thunderbird, Vadim "The Russian Rocket" Slivchenko will be suiting up for the Nailers by the end of this week, as his paperwork finally went through. Even though Vadim's 37 years of age, he's still faster than most of the players in the ECHL. He played 51 games in Germany last season for Crimmitschau ETC where he led the team in scoring with 39 points (17G,22A). It's good to have the rocket back. Hopefully he can add some scoring to our Nicole Ritchie like offense.
The Nailers have also signed rookie forward Joe Santilli. Santilli is in his senior year of college at Northeastern University. In 17 games played so far he has 11 points 2G,9A). Last season with Northeastern, he had nine points on five goals and four assists in 20 games played.

Wheeling also claimed goalie Nathan Marsters off of waivers from Augusta. Masters has spent time in the AHL for Portland going 2-3 in 5 games last season in the AHL. He was a victim of a numbers crunch as the Anaheim Ducks have too many goalies under contract in their system. Marsters was 4-3-2 for the Lynx.

Hell Froze Over

2007-12-11T20:16:00.001-05:00

In some good news today Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin and former Nailer Joe Jensen has been assigned to the Nailers earlier today. Jensen should help our offense who're been more anemic than Nicole Ritchie lately.

Jensen, has appeared in 18 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton accounting for two points (1G,1A) and 23 penalty minutes. The second year pro spent half of his rookie season with the Nailers in 2006-07. He scored 29 points (11G,18A) in 28 games for Wheeling while registering 11 points (6G,5A) in 26 games with the Penguins.

Pittsburgh has also recalled the peoples champ, Paul Bissonnette. I guess hell has froze over.

Biss seemed to be in the doghouse with the Penguins organization this past offseason as he was told not to report to Penguins training camp or Wheeling because they were pursuing a trade.

Kyle Rank was also assigned to the Baby Pens. Rank played 10 AHL games last season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers scoring 4 points (2G,2A)

Garbage Day!

2007-12-10T18:44:00.000-05:00

I forgot today was garbage day when I woke up. In unrelated news, the Nailers claimed goalie Brett Jaeger off waivers from Utah. He's 0-5 this season so far, but he did win 40 games in two seasons for Fresno.

Here's a look at Jaegers time with the Falcons. Not too shabby.

Season  Team           GP  GA  SO   GAA   W   L   T   Pct
04-05  Fresno Falcons  37  85   2  2.49  19   9   6  .927
05-06  Fresno Falcons  37  98   0  2.63  21   6   8  .912

Here's to good luck... don't bomb.

Say goodbye to Michael Handza, as the Nailers traded him to Bakersfield for forward Justin Chwedoruk. 
This actually seems to be a great trade for us on paper.  Chwedoruk's been pretty beast this year too,
scoring 11 points in 19 games (7G,4A) and racking up 37 penalty minutes. Handza had 3 points with the Nailers, 
all assist.

Curtiss Patrick's two game suspension is over after he was assessed a match penalty for Deliberate Injury of an opponent. What the heck do you call fighting? You don't just punch someone without trying to inflict pain, do you?

Gino Pisellini has been placed on the 7-day injured reserve he's a little banged up.

Skidding out of control

2007-12-09T21:53:00.000-05:00

When you saw warm-ups today you noticed two things.

You were glad to see David Laliberte back with the team and then you noticed that you threw up all over yourself when you saw that our two goalies were Ray Jean and Billy Higgins. Or as they're known in hockey circles...
Billy JeanDisgusting.

Well they say that hindsight is 20/20 my friend. So who would've thought that two trades would come back to haunt us this very moment? When we traded Jason Tejchma and Terry Denike we were stacked in net and we were pretty set offensively. Tejchma has 12 points in 14 games with the Mississippi Sea Wolves right now and Denike is the go-to-guy in Reading with a 2-0 record.

To quote Lloyd Christmas,"We're in a hole, we just need to dig ourselves out."

Word out of Pittsburgh is that Marc-Andre Fleury will miss two-to-four weeks with his ankle injury. This means that Dany Sabourin will carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders for a little while, while John Curry and Dave Brown do the same in Wilkes-Barre. That being said... Martin Houle cannot come back fast enough from a groin injury. There's only one person who can help us now...
Barring the second coming, we're in serious trouble.

Since Lane Manson's retirement, the Nailers have won a grand total of two games.

Francios Leroux is a minus-7 and he looks gassed every time he comes off of the ice.

Frustration's setting in. Nothing is going right lately. Nothing.
So we're changing things up here at Nailer News. While others may go green, but we're going black with a new site look to help get outta this funk. Anything helps. Right?

Goalie Swap Continued...

2007-12-07T19:08:00.000-05:00

With Marc-Andre Fleury day-to-day with an ankle sprain, the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled goalie Ty Conklin and reassigned John Curry from Wheeling to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. So it appears that the Baby Pens will go with the rookie tandem of Curry and Dave Brown until Fleury is healthy. It's a great chance for the kids to show what they can do. Too bad we traded Terry Denike a week too early.

You Cant Touch A Flame When It's, Red Hot

2007-12-07T00:27:00.000-05:00

With Marc-Andre Fleury suffering an ankle injury tonight in Calgary, Ty Conklin may awake to a phone call telling him to get up and fly to Vancouver to back up former Wheeling Nailer, Dany Sabourin... This kind of makes you wonder if the Baby Pens will sign someone or call Curry up for a while. If they call Curry up the Baby Pens will have two rookie keepers with very limited AHL net time.
Check out this 1987 video with the Calgary Flames... Look close and you'll see Pittsburgh Penguin Gary Roberts. Good Stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9eF6DVI0tk&feature=related

Goalie Swap

2007-12-04T19:22:00.000-05:00

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have switched around their goalies as they sent John Curry to Wheeling and called up Dave Brown to take his place.

WBS picked kind of an odd time to take Brown, as he probably has played his two worst games of his brief professional career, but none-the-less it's a good thing for Brown to experience life int he AHL and to get some time facing higher caliber players.

Curry, assigned to the Nailers in the preseason, was sent by the parent Penguins to the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL to get some playing time. While playing for the Wranglers Curry put up impressive numbers going 4-1 with a 2.81 GAA and a .905 save percentage earning him his first AHL call-up.

Curry has played in 3 AHL games for the Penguins going 1-2-0 with a 2.66 GAA and a .901 save percentage.

Curry had also played for the United States National Team this season at the Deutschland Cup in Hannover, Germany, posting a 1-0-1 record with a 1.92 goals against average and a .946 save percentage.

The Nailers then sent goalie Terry Denike to Reading for "undisclosed considerations."

Hang on, Help Is On It's Way

2007-12-01T15:58:00.000-05:00

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins assigned Ned Havern back to Wheeling today as well as defenseman Jonathan D'Aversa. Both players will be in uniform tonight as the Nailers travel to take on Johnstown.
D'Aversa, 21, spent the previous four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with Sudbury. He scored 26 goals and 150 points over that span. In his rookie season with the Baby Pens, D'Aversa, has played in 6 games scoring 1 goal and adding an assist.
To make room, Vin Hellemeyer was waived after scoring the lone goal for the Nailers in a 3-1 loss at Trenton last night.

Here's a Quarter, Call Somebody Up to the AHL

2007-11-28T19:25:00.000-05:00

- Former Wheeling Nailer and current Youngstown SteelHound goalie, Andy Franck has been called up to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League today.

Franck, 26, is 11-2-1 in 14 games for the SteelHounds and he leads the Central Hockey League in wins. Earlier this season Franck won seven straight games to lead the Hounds to the best start in franchise history.

In two years with the Nailers Franck compiled a 60-41-9 record with eight shutouts and was named to the ECHL All Rookie and All Star teams in his first season.

- Yesterday, Wheeling Nailer Adam Henrich has been signed to a professional tryout contract by the Norfolk Admirals. Henrich has been the top offensive producer for the Nailers this season as well as one of the top producers in the entire ECHL despite being suspended for the first three games of the year. Henrich has accounted for 10 goals and 10 assists in just 12 games.

- David Laliberte has been recalled for a second time this season to the Philadelphia Phantoms and has already played in two games with the Nailers AHL affiliate this season.

Turkey Lurky Dee and Turky Lurky Duh

2007-11-23T09:46:00.000-05:00

Fresh off my turkey coma and here to smack ya with some news.

Sean Collins finally got one for the belt Wednesday night with his first goal of the season which he took off the chin... literally.

Francois Leroux debuted for the Nailers Wednesday. He looked a little sluggish, but did play the body well in front of the net, pushing Dayton forwards around like no ones business.

Does anybody find it odd that there have only been two fights at home this season and we have Bissonnette, Boogaard, Patrick, Leroux and had Manson? And they both came the same day against Dayton on October 27th? That tells you something about the teams discipline this season. Actually Wheeling is currently the least penalized team in the North division with 253 total PIM.

Adam Henrich is currently sitting number ten in the ECHL with 9 goals.

David Brown has the sixth highest save percentage in league (.928).

Former Nailer Joe Guenther was traded by Elmira to Florida for Thanksgiving.

Rookie winger Aaron Clarke, who has been on the 30-day IR is scheduled to come off the IR and get his season started underway. While defenseman Todd Spencer has been placed on the 7-day IR.

The Nailers will have two of their homegames broadcast on the NHL Network.
December 22nd Cincinnati at Wheeling from the game on December 15th.
March 8th Trenton at Wheeling from the game on March 1st

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, Francois

2007-11-20T11:58:00.000-05:00

News out of Wheeling is that former Pittsburgh Penguin Francois Leroux will suit up tomorrow night in Wheeling for the Nailers. Leroux, a 6'6" 270lb defenseman, is a former 1st round draft pick in 1988, played 249 NHL games between the Oilers, Penguins and Avalanche. He will be replacing Lane Manson who decided to call his career quits earlier this week. He's 37 years old, can he still go? Although skating and soft hands were never his main strength, Leroux is a very physical, defensive-minded defenseman who amassed 577 penalty minutes in his NHL career.
Here's a great youtube clip of a Leroux fight against Tony Twist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9ysnsV6fW8

Philadelphia also reassigned goalie Martin Houle. This will crowd the goal-tending situation for sure. The Nailers now have three quality starting keepers with David Brown, Martin Houle and Terry Denike, with Denike being the odd man out because of affiliations with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Philadelphia. Houle has been placed on the 3-day IR.

**Edit**
* There are some immigration issues with former Nailer/Thunderbird, Vadim Slivchenko. Coach Patrick said Last week that they were trying to get him into the lineup as soon as they can.

From Russia With Love... I think

2007-11-19T11:01:00.000-05:00

Suspended Nailer forward, Alexei Smirnov is currently playing in the Russian Hockey Super League with a bunch of guys named Alexei, Dmetri (ending with an i or a y), Andrei and Alexandr(or ending in an er). I don't know if you've ever looked at a Russian hockey teams roster, but there's not a lot of name variations. He's playing for the Vityaz Chekhov so it appears that the immigration issue has been settled.

Along with Smirnov playing overseas, suspended Nailer forward, Kevin Du has accepted an offer to play in China.

**Edit**

*The Reading Royals were have a new name that Nailer fans may remember from his brief stint with the team last season before being traded to Texas. Goalie Danny Taylor was assigned to the Royals today from the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL..

That's about all, for real now.

2007-11-16T20:50:00.000-05:00

The Nailers game tonight has been rescheduled until November 20th. The team was unable to make it to Cincinnati tonight to play the Cyclones because of a chemical spill in a traffic accident on I70. So not much news going on tonight besides the activations of Curtiss Patrick and Gino Pisellini. Kevin Du has also been suspended by the team. Which comes as kind of a surprise. I'm thinking it's more of a numbers issue than anything, but you never know I guess.
In four games with Mississippi, former Nailer forward Jason Tejchma has four points, (3G,1A). It would be nice to still have him, you can never have enough fire-power. It's always nice to have an extra scoring forward, especially since we've been playing Chris Snavely at forward instead of on defense. I just hope we can get something good in return for him with our future considerations.
That's all for now.

It's a game of give and take...

2007-11-16T12:45:00.000-05:00

The Wheeling Nailers have announced that forward David Laliberte has been re-assigned to the team from their AHL affiliate Philadelphia Phantoms.
Laliberte played in one game for the Phantoms during this recent AHL stint, and has played two games overall for Philadelphia this season. He had zero points and four penalty minutes. Laliberte returns to the Nailers where he has seven points in seven games with two goals and five assist. Laliberte should be in the lineup tonight against los Cyclones de Cincinnati.
However one player who will not be in the lineup for the Nailers will be Ned Havern, who was re-called to the Nailers other AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
In nine games, Havern has six goals and five assist for 11 points.

Chris Snavely Does It All

2007-11-13T21:33:00.000-05:00

Forwards Aaron Clarke and Gino Pisellini who have been on the injured reserve list will soon be back on the ice which is great news to the Nailers as they are a little shorthanded (even if the score sheet says otherwise) in the forward department.
Rookie defenseman, Chris Snavely has played up against Augusta Sunday since Clarke and Pisellini have been injured and Mark Letestu and David Laliberte have been spending time in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Philadelphia respectively with the Nailers' AHL affiliates.
Defenseman Curtiss Patrick is due to come off IR soon and may possibly get some ice time Friday in Cincinnatti. Patrick has also had professional experience at forward with Wheeling two seasons ago.

Cyclones Blowing Down The Doors

2007-11-08T10:08:00.001-05:00

Last night the Nailers had their three game unbeaten streak snapped by the Cincinnati Cyclones via shutout, 4-0.
The team looked flat the entire evening. This was the first time the Nailers did not score a power play goal in a game this season. Subsequently, it was also the first time the team was shut out this season.
The Nailers' record now stands at .500, going 3-3-1 on the season. Wheeling has faired much better at the Hammerdome, going 2-1-1 while their road record is 1-2.
In the beginning of the game, the Cyclones were getting a lot of chances, but rookie Wheeling net minder, David Brown played beyond stellar, as he turned away chance after chance.
The Cyclones got the first goal of the game, as Jean-Michel Daoust found the back of the net, on (you guessed it) the power play. This seems to be a trend the entire season thus far. The last time Brown was in net, the Nailers gave up 3 PPG.
Cincinnati quickly put a dagger to the Nailers a minute and nine seconds into the second period, as Billy Irish-Baker scored his first goal of the season. The Nailers looked flat the rest of the period and Cinci scored it's third goal of the night as Thomas Beauregard lit the lamp at 11:01. The final goal came at 16:37, as Billy Irish-Baker netted his second goal of the night in the 3rd.
Despite allowing the three goals, Nailers' goalie David Brown played well, as he made some big stops to give the Nailers a chance to get back in the game.
If there have been two things the Nailers need to work on fixing, it would be the penalty kill and adapting to playing on the road.
The Nailers take on Reading this Friday night. It will be the first time the home fans get to see the much feared Aaron Boogaard.

Newsworthy Nuggets

2007-11-07T20:17:00.000-05:00

Former Dayton Bombers goalie, Terry Denike, signed a contract with Wheeling earlier today. Denike posted an 11-4-2 record with 2 shoutouts last season with the Bombers. Denike was placed on waivers last night.
Defensemen Jeremy Swanson and Curtiss Patrick are closer to returning.
Nailer defenseman Mike Vanelli left the team last week to use his education. Vanelli played two games with the Nailers, notching 2-points. (0G,2A).
Former Wheeling Thunderbird, Vadim Slivchenko, has been practicing with the Nailers this past week. Slivchenko, last played for Wheeling in 1999. Between 1993-1995, Slivchenko scored 76 goals for the Thunderbirds. Slivchenko is awaiting the go-ahead on his immigration before he can suit up. He played last season for Crimmitschau ETC in Germany, scoring 17 goals.
Forward Alexei Smirnov, who has been dealing with immigration problems, has been suspended by the Nailers in order to retain his playing rights.

I think I saw a Boogyman...

2007-11-06T19:49:00.000-05:00

The Pittsburgh Penguins have reassigned center Mark Letestu from Wheeling to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.
Pittsburgh also assigned toughman/right winger Aaron Boogaard from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to Wheeling.
Boogaard is brother of Minnesota Wild toughman Derek Boogaard and is as tough as they come.
Here are a few Aaron Boogaard fights for your viewing pleasure.

In another roster move the Nailers have traded forward Jason Tejchma to Mississippi Sea Wolves.

Nailers Win Season Opener 4-2

2007-10-18T22:26:00.000-04:00

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.

2007-10-18T10:23:00.000-04:00

* 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

An AHL Invasion

2007-10-16T21:17:00.000-04:00

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.

Cuts and such

2007-10-15T14:06:00.000-04:00

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

Meet your 2007/2008 Defense

2007-10-12T15:58:00.000-04:00

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.

Meet Your 2007/2008 Forwards

2007-10-11T13:56:00.000-04:00

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.