Higgins Remains with Nailers
Published on July 17, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced that Billy Higgins will return as the Nailers equipment manager for his 11th season with the team.
After joining the Wheeling Nailers organization during the 1999-2000 season, Higgins remains the longest tenured member of the hockey staff. Since then, he has worked over 500 games.
A native of Wheeling, Higgins graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 1999 and became a member of the Nailers staff later that year. However, prior to his career in professional athletics, Higgins was an athlete himself. He played hockey (Higgins was a goaltender) from his childhood through high school.
Higgins began his career under the mentorship of Coach Pat Bingham as a stickboy for three seasons before being promoted to equipment manager.
In addition to attending to the player's equipment, Higgins doubles as the Nailers emergency backup goaltender. During his career, he has been in this role upwards of 80 times. As the emergency backup goaltender, Higgins would only be allowed to play if the starting goaltender was prohibited, by injury, from playing or continuing the game.
Now in his 11th year, Higgins is continuing the trend of excellence he has created within the Nailers organization.
"He has a great attention to detail, he's detail-oriented. Billy organizes well while still getting the players what they need," explained team Vice President Craig Bommer, "If you don't have a good equipment manager, you don't have good players. From sticks to skate sharpening to uniforms, he makes sure that everything is done well and that the players are comfortable."
Higgins does not just fulfill his job requirements; rather he also adds a dynamic to the Nailers organization that is crucial to their successes.
"With Billy being a hometown guy, he has a great knowledge of the people and the community. He's involved with the Wheeling Amateur Hockey Association and the roller and ice hockey leagues. He's actually managing a band right now," Bommer continued.
"He's done an outstanding job."
2010-2011 Wheeling Nailers season ticket packages are on sale now. Call 304-234-GOAL (4625) to get yours today! Follow the Nailers all year long on wheelingnailers.com.
ECHL Stories from July 17, 2010
- Higgins Remains with Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
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