Wheeling Nailers
Encyclopedia
The Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL
ice hockey
team based in Wheeling, West Virginia
. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins
and the Montreal Canadiens
of the NHL
and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
and the Hamilton Bulldogs
of the AHL
.
as the Carolina Thunderbirds based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Thunderbirds were hugely successful on the ice, winning four consecutive regular season titles and were three-time Bob Paine Trophy
winners as league champions. In 1987, the ACHL folded and the team joined the All-American Hockey League
, which lasted just the 1987–88 season. The Thunderbirds, Virginia Lancers
, and Johnstown Chiefs
then became the basis for the East Coast Hockey League, now known as the ECHL
. The Thunderbirds won the first ECHL playoff championship, then known as the Jack Riley Cup, defeating Johnstown. They became the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds in 1990 and moved to Wheeling in 1992 under the leadership of president and co-owner Ed Broyhill.
After a trademark dispute with the Seattle Thunderbirds
of the Western Hockey League
, the club became the Nailers for the 1996–97 season when the franchise held a contest open to local fans, which was won by C. J. Wickham of Steubenville, Ohio. The name "Nailers" was chosen for the city's long history of nail manufacturing. The team colors are black, red, and Vegas gold.
The team plays at the WesBanco Arena
(formerly the Wheeling Civic Center), and will also use the Cambria County War Memorial Arena
in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
as an alternative venue during the 2010-2011 season. After missing the playoffs for five straight seasons, they had a 106-point season in 2003–04. They were defeated by the Reading Royals
in 5 games, 3-2. In season 2005–06 they had a great season making it to the second round of the playoffs losing to Toledo in the final second of the final game.
In addition to winning the inaugural ECHL champion in the playoffs
, the Nailers hold the record with three regular season Brabham Cup
titles.
In August 2011, the Nailers moved to the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division as part of the league realignment for the 2011–12 season. The Chicago Express
took the North Division spot vacated by the Nailers.
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
and the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
of the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
and the Hamilton Bulldogs
Hamilton Bulldogs
The Hamilton Bulldogs are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Copps Coliseum, nicknamed 'The Dog Pound'. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
.
Franchise history
One of the oldest low-minor league hockey teams, the franchise began play in 1981 in the Atlantic Coast Hockey LeagueAtlantic Coast Hockey League
The Atlantic Coast Hockey League was a minor league hockey organization that operated between 1981 and 1987. The league was founded by Bill Coffey....
as the Carolina Thunderbirds based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Thunderbirds were hugely successful on the ice, winning four consecutive regular season titles and were three-time Bob Paine Trophy
Bob Paine Trophy
The Bob Paine Trophy was awarded to the play-off champion of the now-defunct Atlantic Coast Hockey League. The Paine Trophy was awarded to teams since the ACHL's inaugural season of 1981–82 until the ACHL's final season of 1986–87. The trophy is named after Bob Paine, an executive with several...
winners as league champions. In 1987, the ACHL folded and the team joined the All-American Hockey League
All-American Hockey League
The All-American Hockey League was a minor league hockey organization formed in 1972 with teams based in the Upper Midwest and Great lakes regions of the United States as the Continental Hockey League. In 1986 the league folded and the Danville, Dayton, Troy went on to form the All-American Hockey...
, which lasted just the 1987–88 season. The Thunderbirds, Virginia Lancers
Virginia Lancers
The Virginia Lancers were a minor league hockey team that played in several leagues from 1983 until 1990. Their home ice was the Vinton Sports Complex, which held 3400 people.-Atlantic Coast Hockey League :...
, and Johnstown Chiefs
Johnstown Chiefs
The Johnstown Chiefs were a minor league ice hockey team located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that played in the ECHL. The team was founded in 1988 in the All-American Hockey League, and moved to the East Coast Hockey League when that league was formed...
then became the basis for the East Coast Hockey League, now known as the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
. The Thunderbirds won the first ECHL playoff championship, then known as the Jack Riley Cup, defeating Johnstown. They became the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds in 1990 and moved to Wheeling in 1992 under the leadership of president and co-owner Ed Broyhill.
After a trademark dispute with the Seattle Thunderbirds
Seattle Thunderbirds
The Seattle Thunderbirds are a junior ice hockey team based in Kent, a suburb of Seattle, Washington. They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, and play in the ShoWare Center...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, the club became the Nailers for the 1996–97 season when the franchise held a contest open to local fans, which was won by C. J. Wickham of Steubenville, Ohio. The name "Nailers" was chosen for the city's long history of nail manufacturing. The team colors are black, red, and Vegas gold.
The team plays at the WesBanco Arena
WesBanco Arena
WesBanco Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Wheeling, West Virginia. It was built in 1977 at a cost of $7 million. It is home to the Wheeling Nailers ice hockey team and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference wrestling tournament.It can also be used for conventions, trade shows, concerts, banquets...
(formerly the Wheeling Civic Center), and will also use the Cambria County War Memorial Arena
Cambria County War Memorial Arena
The Cambria County War Memorial Arena is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that is managed by SMG Entertainment. It was built in 1950, for the Johnstown Jets of the Eastern Hockey League. The film Slap Shot, based on the Jets, was filmed in this arena...
in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
as an alternative venue during the 2010-2011 season. After missing the playoffs for five straight seasons, they had a 106-point season in 2003–04. They were defeated by the Reading Royals
Reading Royals
The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...
in 5 games, 3-2. In season 2005–06 they had a great season making it to the second round of the playoffs losing to Toledo in the final second of the final game.
In addition to winning the inaugural ECHL champion in the playoffs
Kelly Cup
The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the play-off champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning...
, the Nailers hold the record with three regular season Brabham Cup
Brabham Cup
The Henry Brabham Cup is the trophy awarded annually by the ECHL to the team which finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season...
titles.
In August 2011, the Nailers moved to the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division as part of the league realignment for the 2011–12 season. The Chicago Express
Chicago Express
Chicago Express Airlines, Inc. was a regional airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, United States.It operated regional feeder services from Chicago Midway Airport under the name ATA Connection. On June 1, 1999, ATA Airlines acquired Chicago Express for $1.9 million...
took the North Division spot vacated by the Nailers.
Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 1992–93 ECHL season The 1992-93 ECHL season was the fifth season of the ECHL. In 1992, the league saw numerous changes in team membership. The Winston-Salem Thunderbirds move to Wheeling, WV, becoming the first franchise to make a major relocation, the Roanoke Valley Rebels announced that they were changing their... |
64 | 40 | 16 | — | 8 | — | 88 | 314 | 223 | 1st, East |
| 1993–94 1993–94 ECHL season The 1993-94 ECHL season was the sixth season of the ECHL. In 1993, the league saw the Roanoke Valley Rampage move to Huntsville, AL becoming the Huntsville Blast, as well as an expansion to three new markets: Charlotte, NC, North Charleston, SC, and Huntington, WV and returned to the Roanoke... |
68 | 38 | 23 | — | 7 | — | 83 | 327 | 289 | 3rd, North |
| 1994–95 1994–95 ECHL season The 1994-95 ECHL season was the seventh season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Huntsville Blast moved their operations from Huntsville, AL to Tallahassee, FL and became the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks and the Louisville IceHawks suspended operations... |
68 | 46 | 17 | — | 5 | — | 97 | 313 | 243 | 1st, North |
| 1995–96 1995–96 ECHL season The 1995-96 ECHL season was the eighth season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Greensboro Monarchs franchise moved up to the American Hockey League and became the Carolina Monarchs... |
70 | 42 | 23 | — | — | 5 | 89 | 289 | 261 | 2nd, North |
| 1996–97 1996–97 ECHL season The 1996-97 ECHL season was the ninth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, two franchises relocated, one was renamed, and two expansion franchises were founded... |
70 | 36 | 29 | 5 | — | — | 77 | 298 | 291 | 4th, North |
| 1997–98 1997–98 ECHL season The 1997-98 ECHL season was the tenth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Knoxville Cherokees move to Florence, SC and welcomed expansion teams in New Orleans, LA and Upper Marlboro, MD... |
70 | 37 | 24 | 9 | — | — | 83 | 255 | 255 | 2nd, North |
| 1998–99 1998–99 ECHL season The 1998-99 ECHL season was the 11th season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Louisville River Frogs move to Miami, FL and the Raleigh Icecaps move to Augusta, GA as well as welcoming two new franchises in Estero, FL and Greenville, SC... |
70 | 27 | 37 | 6 | — | — | 60 | 206 | 249 | 6th, Northeast |
| 1999–2000 1999–2000 ECHL season The 1999-2000 ECHL season was the 12th season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the Miami Matadors and Columbus Chill suspended operations, the Chesapeake Icebreakers, who originally suspended operations, moved to Jackson, MS... |
70 | 25 | 40 | 5 | — | — | 55 | 202 | 246 | 5th, Northeast |
| 2000–01 2000–01 ECHL season The 2000-01 ECHL season was the 13th season of the ECHL. Before the season, the league lost three members as the Huntington Blizzard and the Jacksonville Lizard Kings ceased operations and the powerhouse Hampton Roads Admirals moved up to the American Hockey League as the Norfolk Admirals, the... |
72 | 24 | 40 | 8 | — | — | 56 | 192 | 277 | 5th, Northeast |
| 2001–02 2001–02 ECHL season The 2001-02 ECHL season was the 14th season of the East Coast Hockey League. Before the start of the season, the league saw one expansion franchise and five relocations, three of which were through the buying of the franchise rights of former clubs that had ceased operations... |
72 | 36 | 32 | 4 | — | — | 76 | 213 | 208 | 5th, Northeast |
| 2002–03 | 72 | 28 | 41 | 3 | — | — | 59 | 193 | 261 | 6th, Northeast |
| 2003–04 | 72 | 51 | 17 | 4 | — | — | 106 | 259 | 188 | 1st, North |
| 2004–05 | 72 | 38 | 29 | 5 | — | — | 81 | 171 | 173 | 6th, North |
| 2005–06 | 72 | 45 | 21 | 6 | — | — | 96 | 247 | 186 | 2nd, East |
| 2006–07 | 72 | 32 | 34 | 6 | — | — | 70 | 215 | 255 | 7th, North |
| 2007–08 | 72 | 22 | 43 | — | 3 | 4 | 51 | 186 | 284 | 7th, North |
| 2008–09 2008–09 ECHL season The 2008-09 ECHL season was the 21st of the ECHL. The league welcomed one new franchise, the Ontario Reign, which will relocate from Beaumont, Texas and will play at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. Two teams, the Columbia Inferno and the Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz, will voluntary... |
72 | 36 | 28 | — | 2 | 6 | 80 | 263 | 260 | 4th, North |
| 2009–10 2009–10 ECHL season The 2009–10 ECHL season was the 22nd season of the ECHL. It ran from October, 2009 until April, 2010, followed by the Kelly Cup playoffs which lasted until May 21, 2010 as the Cincinnati Cyclones won their second Kelly Cup championship in three years by defeating the Idaho Steelheads in five games... |
72 | 33 | 35 | — | 2 | 5 | 73 | 240 | 249 | 4th, North |
| 2010–11 2010–11 ECHL season The 2010–11 ECHL season is the 23rd season of the ECHL. The regular season schedule runs from October 15, 2010 to April 2, 2011. The Kelly Cup playoffs followed the regular season, with the first playoff game held on April 4, 2011, all the way to late May or early June... |
72 | 38 | 29 | — | 0 | 5 | 81 | 230 | 210 | 2nd, North |
Playoffs
| Season | Preliminary | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Kelly Cup finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 1992–93 ECHL season The 1992-93 ECHL season was the fifth season of the ECHL. In 1992, the league saw numerous changes in team membership. The Winston-Salem Thunderbirds move to Wheeling, WV, becoming the first franchise to make a major relocation, the Roanoke Valley Rebels announced that they were changing their... |
— | Bye | W, 3-1, Johnstown Johnstown Chiefs The Johnstown Chiefs were a minor league ice hockey team located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania that played in the ECHL. The team was founded in 1988 in the All-American Hockey League, and moved to the East Coast Hockey League when that league was formed... |
W, 4-2, Raleigh Raleigh IceCaps The Raleigh Icecaps were a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1991 and playing at Dorton Arena, located at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, the IceCaps were members of the ECHL... |
L, 2-4, Toledo Toledo Storm The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,... |
| 1993–94 1993–94 ECHL season The 1993-94 ECHL season was the sixth season of the ECHL. In 1993, the league saw the Roanoke Valley Rampage move to Huntsville, AL becoming the Huntsville Blast, as well as an expansion to three new markets: Charlotte, NC, North Charleston, SC, and Huntington, WV and returned to the Roanoke... |
— | W, 2-0, Nashville | W, 3-1, Hampton Hampton Roads Admirals The Hampton Roads Admirals were an American professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena.... |
L, 0-3, Toledo Toledo Storm The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,... |
— |
| 1994–95 1994–95 ECHL season The 1994-95 ECHL season was the seventh season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Huntsville Blast moved their operations from Huntsville, AL to Tallahassee, FL and became the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks and the Louisville IceHawks suspended operations... |
— | L, 0-3, Birgmingham Birmingham Bulls The Birmingham Bulls were a professional ice hockey team based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. They played in the World Hockey Association from 1976 to 1979 and the Central Hockey League from 1979 to 1981. The Bulls played their home games at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.Prior to being... |
— | — | — |
| 1995–96 1995–96 ECHL season The 1995-96 ECHL season was the eighth season of the ECHL. Before the season started, the Greensboro Monarchs franchise moved up to the American Hockey League and became the Carolina Monarchs... |
— | W, 3-0, Columbus Columbus Chill The Columbus Chill was a professional ice hockey team that played in the East Coast Hockey League from October 1991 through the 1998-99 season. They played at the Ohio Expo Center Coliseum in Columbus, Ohio. The Chill left Columbus in 1999 and relocated to Reading, Pennsylvania... |
L, 1-3, Tallahassee Tallahassee Tiger Sharks The Tallahassee Tiger Sharks were a minor professional ice hockey team that played in the ECHL from 1994–2001. Under this period they served as a minor league affiliate to New York Islanders , Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens.... |
— | — |
| 1996–97 1996–97 ECHL season The 1996-97 ECHL season was the ninth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, two franchises relocated, one was renamed, and two expansion franchises were founded... |
— | L, 0-3, Peoria Peoria Rivermen The Peoria Rivermen are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.-History:... |
— | — | — |
| 1997–98 1997–98 ECHL season The 1997-98 ECHL season was the tenth season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Knoxville Cherokees move to Florence, SC and welcomed expansion teams in New Orleans, LA and Upper Marlboro, MD... |
— | W, 3-2, Dayton Dayton Bombers The Dayton Bombers were an ECHL ice hockey team located in Dayton, Ohio. The team most recently was in the North Division of the ECHL's American Conference.... |
W, 3-1, Toledo Toledo Storm The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,... |
L, 2-4, Hampton Hampton Roads Admirals The Hampton Roads Admirals were an American professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena.... |
— |
| 1998–99 1998–99 ECHL season The 1998-99 ECHL season was the 11th season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the league saw the Louisville River Frogs move to Miami, FL and the Raleigh Icecaps move to Augusta, GA as well as welcoming two new franchises in Estero, FL and Greenville, SC... |
Out of playoffs | ||||
| 1999–2000 1999–2000 ECHL season The 1999-2000 ECHL season was the 12th season of the ECHL. Before the start of the season, the Miami Matadors and Columbus Chill suspended operations, the Chesapeake Icebreakers, who originally suspended operations, moved to Jackson, MS... |
Out of playoffs | ||||
| 2000–01 2000–01 ECHL season The 2000-01 ECHL season was the 13th season of the ECHL. Before the season, the league lost three members as the Huntington Blizzard and the Jacksonville Lizard Kings ceased operations and the powerhouse Hampton Roads Admirals moved up to the American Hockey League as the Norfolk Admirals, the... |
Out of playoffs | ||||
| 2001–02 2001–02 ECHL season The 2001-02 ECHL season was the 14th season of the East Coast Hockey League. Before the start of the season, the league saw one expansion franchise and five relocations, three of which were through the buying of the franchise rights of former clubs that had ceased operations... |
Out of playoffs | ||||
| 2002–03 | Out of playoffs | ||||
| 2003–04 | — | L, 2-3, Reading Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania... |
— | — | — |
| 2004–05 | Out of playoffs | ||||
| 2005–06 | — | W, 3-1, Reading Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania... |
L, 2-3, Toledo Toledo Storm The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,... |
— | — |
| 2006–07 | Out of playoffs | ||||
| 2007–08 | Out of playoffs | ||||
| 2008–09 2008–09 ECHL season The 2008-09 ECHL season was the 21st of the ECHL. The league welcomed one new franchise, the Ontario Reign, which will relocate from Beaumont, Texas and will play at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. Two teams, the Columbia Inferno and the Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz, will voluntary... |
— | L, 3-4, Cincinnati Cincinnati Cyclones The Cincinnati Cyclones are a professional hockey team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team is a member of the ECHL. Founded in 1990, the team first played their games in the Cincinnati Gardens and now play at U.S. Bank Arena.... |
— | — | — |
| 2009–10 2009–10 ECHL season The 2009–10 ECHL season was the 22nd season of the ECHL. It ran from October, 2009 until April, 2010, followed by the Kelly Cup playoffs which lasted until May 21, 2010 as the Cincinnati Cyclones won their second Kelly Cup championship in three years by defeating the Idaho Steelheads in five games... |
Out of playoffs | ||||
| 2010–11 | — | W, 3-1, South Carolina South Carolina Stingrays The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in... |
W, 4-3, Greenville Greenville Road Warriors The Greenville Road Warriors are a professional ice hockey team located in Greenville, South Carolina. The team is a member of the ECHL and play their home games at the BI-LO Center in downtown Greenville. The franchise had previously played as the Johnstown Chiefs from the ECHL's inception in... |
L, 2-4, Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Wings The Kalamazoo Wings, nicknamed the K-Wings, are a mid-level professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A member of the ECHL's Eastern Conference, North Division, they play in the 5,113-seat Wings Stadium.... |
— |
Notable Nailers Alumni
- David AebischerDavid AebischerDavid Aebischer , is a Swiss professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League . Before returning to North America in 2011 Aebischer had spent four seasons with HC Lugano of the Nationalliga A in Switzerland. He has also played for the...
G - Colorado AvalancheColorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, Montreal CanadiensMontreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
, Phoenix CoyotesPhoenix CoyotesThe Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... - Paul BissonnettePaul BissonnettePaul Albert "BizNasty" Bissonnette is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently with the Phoenix Coyotes organization.-Playing career:...
LW - Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
, Phoenix Coyotes - Francis BouillonFrancis BouillonFrancis Bouillon is an American professional hockey defenseman for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League. Nicknames in English for Francis include "Cube" or "Soupy" , "Frank the Tank", and "Franky B"...
D - Montreal Canadiens, Nashville PredatorsNashville PredatorsThe Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... - Martin BrochuMartin BrochuMartin Brochu is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played briefly in the National Hockey League with the Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He went winless in his nine game NHL career....
G - Washington CapitalsWashington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
, Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, Pittsburgh Penguins - Daniel CarcilloDaniel CarcilloDaniel Carcillo is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
LW - Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... - Andy ChiodoAndy ChiodoAndy Chiodo is a professional ice hockey goaltender with the Klagenfurt AC of the Erste Bank Hockey League...
G - Pittsburgh Penguins - John CurryJohn Curry (ice hockey)John Curry is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Hamburg Freezers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
G - Pittsburgh Penguins - Jeff DawJeff DawJeff Daw is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the Colorado Avalanche during the 2001–02 NHL season.-Career statistics:-External links:...
C - Colorado Avalanche - Drew FataDrew FataDrew Richard Fata is a professional hockey defenceman for the Sparta Sarpsborg of the GET-ligaen. He is the younger brother of Rico Fata, who has played for several NHL teams over the course of his career....
D - New York IslandersNew York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... - Craig FergusonCraig Ferguson (ice hockey)Craig Malcolm Ferguson is a retired American-born Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the seventh round, 146th overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. His father is former-NHL player Norm Ferguson...
C - Montreal Canadiens, Calgary FlamesCalgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, Florida PanthersFlorida PanthersThe Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... - Scott FergusonScott FergusonScott Ferguson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League with the Edmonton Oilers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Minnesota Wild...
D - Edmonton OilersEdmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, Anaheim Mighty DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Minnesota WildMinnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... - Scott FraserScott Fraser (ice hockey)Scott Fraser is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, and New York Rangers...
RW - Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... - Joaquin GageJoaquin GageJoaquin Jesse Gage is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for Pustertal-Val Pusteria Wolves of Italy's Serie A...
G - Edmonton Oilers - Jason JaffrayJason JaffrayJason Jaffray is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
LW - Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames - Joe JensenJoe JensenJoseph Paul Jensen is a professional ice hockey center who played for the Albany River Rats of the AHL. He was a member of the Carolina Hurricanes organization.-Playing career:...
LW - Carolina HurricanesCarolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... - Nick Johnson LW - Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota WildMinnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
- David KociDavid KocíDavid Kočí is a Czech professional ice hockey player who is currently an Unrestricted Free Agent. He last played for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
LW - Chicago BlackhawksChicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
, St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche - Zenon KonopkaZenon KonopkaZenon Konopka is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Konopka is currently a member of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
C - Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Tampa Bay Lightning - Patrick LabrecquePatrick LabrecquePatrick Labrecque is a retired Canadian goaltender who played two games for the Montreal Canadiens in the 1995–96 NHL season, as well as for many other teams across North America and Europe. He was drafted in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques. He wore jersey number 31 for the...
G -Montreal Canadiens - David LaliberteDavid LalibertéDavid Laliberté is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently a member of the Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga .-Playing career:...
RW - Philadelphia Flyers - Peter LaviolettePeter LaviolettePeter Laviolette Jr. is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman and is the current head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League...
Head Coach - Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... - Marc LamotheMarc LamotheMarc Lamothe is a professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently a Free Agent. He last played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga for Hamburg Freezers during the 2010–11 season.- Montreal Canadiens :...
G - Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... - Mark LetestuMark LetestuMark Letestu is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.Letestu played three season of junior hockey with the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, before playing one season at Western Michigan of the Central Collegiate...
C - Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... - Darcy MartiniDarcy MartiniDarcy R. Martini is a retired ice hockey player. He played two NHL games for the Edmonton Oilers.Martini was drafted 162nd overall by Edmonton in 1989 from Michigan Tech...
D - Edmonton Oilers - Marquis MathieuMarquis MathieuMarquis Mathieu was a professional ice hockey player who played 16 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Boston Bruins.- External links :...
C - Boston BruinsBoston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... - Kurtis McLeanKurtis McLeanKurtis McLean , is a professional Canadian ice hockey centre who plays for SM-liiga club Lukko.-Playing career:...
C - New York Islanders - Mike MinardMike MinardMichael Edward Roger 'Mike' Minard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in one National Hockey League game for the Edmonton Oilers during the 1999–2000 NHL season....
G - Edmonton Oilers - Michel OuelletMichel OuelletMichel Ouellet is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He most recently played with Hamburg Freezers of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He was drafted out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League by the Pittsburgh Penguins of...
RW - Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks - Cam PaddockCam PaddockCam Paddock is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He currently plays for the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL.- Early life :...
C - St. Louis Blues - Marc RodgersMarc RodgersMarc Rodgers was a professional ice hockey player who played 21 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Detroit Red Wings.- References :...
RW - Detroit Red Wings - Dany SabourinDany SabourinDaniel Sabourin is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently under contract for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
G - Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks - Yves SaraultYves SaraultYves Sarault is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Sarault is currently playing with the Rivière-du-Loup CIMT of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey...
G - Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa SenatorsOttawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Atlanta ThrashersAtlanta ThrashersThe Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
, Nashville Predators - Daniel TaylorDaniel TaylorDaniel Taylor or Dan Taylor may refer to:*Daniel Taylor *Daniel G. Taylor , mayor of St. Louis, Missouri*Daniel Taylor , Irish Liberal Member of Parliament for Coleraine 1874–1880...
G - Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... - Darcy VerotDarcy VerotDarcy Verot is a Canadian ice hockey forward currently playing for HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League....
LW -Washington Capitals - Terry VirtueTerry VirtueTerry William Virtue is a former Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Virtue spent many years in the minor leagues and it wasn't until the 1998–99 NHL season where he played his first NHL game, playing four for the Boston Bruins. The next season he played one game for the New York Rangers...
D - Boston Bruins, New York Rangers - Mark VisheauMark VisheauMark Andrew Visheau is a retired professional hockey player who played briefly in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets and the Los Angeles Kings. He played defense and shot right-handed....
D - Los Angeles Kings - Tomas VokounTomas VokounTomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
G - Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals - Tim WallaceTim WallaceTimothy T. Wallace , is a professional American ice hockey centre with the New York Islanders organization. Before starting his professional career, Wallace played four seasons with the University of Notre Dame of the CCHA. A product of the U.S...
RW - Pittsburgh Penguins
Head coaches
- Tom McVieTom McVieTom McVie was a coach in the National Hockey League. He coached the Washington Capitals from the 1975–76 season to the middle of the 1978–79 season. He moved to the Winnipeg Jets, then in the World Hockey Association, and coached the team with Bill Sutherland in its first two NHL seasons, 1979–80...
1996-97 - Peter LaviolettePeter LaviolettePeter Laviolette Jr. is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman and is the current head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League...
1997-98 - Chris JensenChris JensenChris B. Jensen is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 74 games over six seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.-External links:...
1998-99 - Murray EavesMurray EavesMurray James Eaves is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 57 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings. He now coaches Bantam Tier 1 hockey and lacrosse at Shattuck - St. Mary's school in Faribault, Minnesota. Married to Deborah...
1999-2000 - Alain LemieuxAlain LemieuxAlain Lemieux is a retired ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, and Pittsburgh Penguins.- Career :In 1986 he also played in Switzerland for EHC Olten...
2000-01 - Joe Harney 2001 (interim)
- John BrophyJohn Brophy (ice hockey)John Brophy is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former hockey player who has spent most of his career in minor professional leagues, including 18 years as a player in the Eastern Hockey League and 13 seasons as a coach in the East Coast Hockey League...
2001-03 - Pat Bingham 2003-05
- Glenn PatrickGlenn PatrickGlenn Curtiss Patrick is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 38 games in the National Hockey League and 23 games in the World Hockey Association between 1973 and 1977. He played with the St. Louis Blues, California Seals, Cleveland Barons, and Edmonton Oilers...
2005-2008 - Greg Puhalski 2008–2010
- Stan DruliaStan DruliaStanley W. Drulia is the coach of the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and a former professional right winger. He was drafted in the eleventh round, 214th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. He played 126 games in the National Hockey League, all with the Tampa Bay Lightning...
2010–Present