Nailers Sign Defenseman Cliff Loya
July 14, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins and the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, have announced the signing of defenseman Cliff Loya.
The Pittsburgh native and University of Maine product will be commencing on his fourth season with the Nailers and his seventh overall in professional hockey.
Last year, Loya played in 36 games with the Nailers before earning his first call-up to the AHL where he played in 9 games with the Portland (Maine) Pirates. With Wheeling last season the big blueliner had 1 goal and 9 assists and amassed 64 penalty minutes.
"We are pleased to have Cliff back with us," said Nailers head coach Greg Puhalski. "He provides our team solid leadership and his good play earned him a call-up to Portland last year. He is looking forward to the upcoming season."
Loya checks in at 6'2" and 190 pounds. He was a 7th round selection (207th overall) of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the University of Maine Black Bears program for 4 seasons from 1999-2003. With Maine he won a Hockey East Championship in 2000 and was honored with the league's Best Defensive Defenseman award in 2003.
Loya's first two seasons with the Wheeling Nailers were in 2004-05 and 2005-06. In his second year he played in all 72 games, the only member of the Nailers to do so.
He played two seasons abroad in Italy with a couple different teams in 2006-07 and 2007-08 as a member of Cortina SG and Asiago HC before returning to the Nailers last year.
The Wheeling Nailers open the 2009-2010 campaign on October 16th at the South Carolina Stingrays. The home opener for the 18th season of professional hockey in the Friendly City is October 24th when the Nailers host the Cincinnati Cyclones. Season tickets are on sale now for all 32 exciting Nailers home games at WesBanco Arena. Great season ticket plans available for every budget. Also take advantage of the Nailers new $87 package for 7 Nailers home games. Call the Wheeling Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL, that's 234-4625. Or log on to wheelingnailers.com for more information.
Cliff Loya
Defense
Born May 8 1981 -- Pittsburgh, PA
Height 6.02 -- Weight 190
Selected by Chicago Blackhawks round 7 #207 overall 2000 NHL Entry Draft
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from July 14, 2009
- Ontario Signs Two Rookie Forwards - Ontario Reign
- Ontario Signs Two Rookie Forwards - Ontario Reign
- Salmon Kings Welcome Back Wedderburn - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Nailers Sign Defenseman Cliff Loya - Wheeling Nailers
- Nailers Announce 2009-2010 Schedule - Wheeling Nailers
- Royals Sign Forward Karl Sellan - Reading Royals
- Grizzlies Sign Nathan Gillies - Utah Grizzlies
- Update on Ferndale Jubilee and Town Hall Meeting - Johnstown Chiefs
- Radke, Parenteau agree to terms with Steelheads - Idaho Steelheads
- Rookie Defenseman Hotham Inks With Everblades - Florida Everblades
- Cyclones Sign Defenseman Jason Woll - Cincinnati Cyclones
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
