The Wheeling Nailers’ 2014-15 team.
By DJ Abisalih
This past October, professional hockey dropped the puck at Wheeling’s WesBanco Arena for the start of a 24th consecutive season, and for the first time ever, fans didn’t walk in to find their usual orange seats. Following the installation of a state-of-the-art video board in January, the seating bowl was the next item on the agenda as the multi-purpose downtown facility experienced a facelift. However, there is still one more part of the project remaining: a new entrance gallery with completion scheduled for June 2016.
The biggest beneficiaries of the renovations are the Wheeling Nailers, the longest standing members of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), which plays 36 regular season home games each year at the arena. While the hockey action is a major part of the Nailers, the organization also believes in turning every night into an event, providing fun entertainment for both diehard and casual fans.
This past summer, the Nailers’ staff arranged new promotional acts that are sure to be a hit. For the sports fans, the Hanson Brothers from the movie “Slap Shot” will be appearing at the December 12 game, and former Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel will be in the building on February 6. For the non-sports fans, the December 5 Star Wars Night and January 9 Princesses & Pirates Night will certainly draw a crowd.
Passing the Puck
In 2012, the previous owners of the Wheeling Nailers were considering selling the team to out-of-state interests, which would have resulted in the team being relocated.
“Our board was looking at ways the Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED) could do another downtown development project,” says Don Rigby, executive director of RED and Nailer governor. “When we learned that the team could be moved, the board decided that keeping the Nailers in Wheeling would be an important project. The Nailers play more than 36 games a season, and the economic impact for Wheeling is huge. We purchased the team, which has played an important part of the development of our downtown.”
According to Rigby, one of the biggest things RED has noticed since purchasing the Nailers in 2012 is the fan following. In addition to coming out to watch the hockey team play, the fans also fill the building when large events and celebrities are part of the games.
“The 2015-16 year will be a critical year for us as the city and WesBanco Arena have put in a lot of hard work and money to help us succeed,” Rigby says. “We are also looking ahead to a huge milestone next fall—the 25th anniversary of the hockey team in Wheeling. We hope the fans will continue to rally behind us and take pride in their local community and their hockey team.”
Fan Favorites
With Nailers Head Coach Clark Donatelli at the helm, fans can expect familiar faces on the ice in 2015-16 with returning players that include Derek Army, Zack Torquato, Shane Bakker and Jarrett Burton. Torquato, who set a career high with 59 points last season, is 26 games away from breaking the record for most career games as a Nailer. Army, a member of the ECHL All-Rookie Team in 2014-15, led the squad with 29 goals while finishing second to Riley Brace with 66 points.
“I am very excited about the team we have this season,” says Donatelli. “Our core of returning players is a very strong group, and we will have some new players who will be hungry to earn a spot on the roster. This is going to be a fun team to watch, and I hope everyone comes out to see us play.”
The Path to Pro
This is the 17th consecutive season the Nailers have been affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the longest such active relationship for any ECHL team. With that affiliation, fans can expect to see the future Penguins skate through the Ohio Valley on their way to the National Hockey League (NHL). Entering the 2015-16 season, Wheeling leads the ECHL with 53 alumni—including players, coaches and broadcasters—who have gone on to the NHL. One of the most notable of late is Scott Darling, who hoisted the Stanley Cup as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks in June. Darling last donned the Nailer shield on his jersey during the 2012-13 season.
The Nailers will reach an important historical milestone in 2016-17 when they become the first team in ECHL history to celebrate 25 years in the league. The organization has already begun planning special events to honor the individuals who made the first 24 years possible while continuing to build on what they accomplished so that the city of Wheeling can enjoy the thrills and excitement of professional hockey for another 25 seasons.
