Forwards: The Wheeling Nailers return 5 forwards on what was one of the ECHL's best offenses. The team returns 4 out of their top 5 scorers. Returning are Sean Collins, Kurtis McLean, Bo Cheesman, Jordan Cameron, and Eric Sonnenberg. Moving on are Brendon Hodge (ECHL Stockton), Tim Verbeek (ECHL Stockton), Mike Doyle (UHL Rockford), Mike Rice (Europe), Cam Paddock, and Moises Gutierrez (Jrs). New to the offense is veteran Ryan Fultz. Fultz split last season with Gwinette and Charlotte. This will be his 7th pro season. The Nailers welcome 3 players from the Central Hockey League up front. Joe Guenther had 34 goals last season, splitting the season with Tulsa and Amarillo. Mario Chinelli (Oklahoma City/Youngstown) and Jonathan Foster (Lubbock/Corpus Christi) round out the CHL newcomers. Also added up front is Mat Goody from the United Hockey League (Richmond). Goody adds size (6'2 250) and toughness (300+ PIMs) to the Nailers front line.
Defense: The Nailers return 3 players from last season's defense. The defense will be led by Paul Bissonnette and Daniel Fernholm. Both players split last year between Wilkes-Barre and Wheeling. Also returning is likely team captain, Curtiss Patrick. Patrick played both offense and defense for the Nailers but will be used as a defenseman full-time this season. New to the defense are rookies, Bernie Chmiel (Sacred Heart NCAA) and Chris Brooks (Yale NCAA). The Nailers also have brought in 2 defensemen with previous pro experience. Grant McNeill split last year between Florida (ECHL) and Rochester (AHL). Also on the backline will be 4 year pro Ryan Moren (Tulsa/Lubbock CHL). Gone are Drew Fata (Bridgeport AHL), Luis Tremblay (Texas ECHL), Alex Rouleau (Phoenix ECHL), and Cliff Loya (Europe).
Goaltending: The Nailers return All-Rookie and ECHL Allstar Andy Franck. Franck was one of the top goaltenders in the ECHL last season. Also returning is Franck's backup from a year ago, Kevin Schieve.
Nailers Preseason Preview
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Point Breeze Penguins
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