Nailers Sign Former NHLer
July 26, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
The Wheeling Nailers, the AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have started off their announcements of player acquisitions with a bang with the news that former NHL'er Kris Vernarsky will be suiting up for the team this year.
Experience doesn't come any better than what Vernarsky brings to the Wheeling club: 529 professional games spanning 8 seasons including 111 goals and 191 assists for 302 career points. The 28 year old Vernarsky is a big lefty-shooting center checking in at 6'3" and 210 pounds.
Vernarsky played a combined 17 games for the Boston Bruins in 2002-03 and 2003-04. He has also played 115 games in the AHL with the Providence Bruins. New Nailers head coach Stan Drulia knows "Vern" well having had him on his Port Huron (Mich.) teams for the past four seasons.
Drulia was pleased to bring a man of his experience, talents and character to Wheeling. "Vern will be a great leader for the Nailers," Drulia said. "He can play in any situation and immediately brings depth to our organization. When called upon, he can log a lot of minutes for us."
Vernarsky had back to back 21 goal campaigns in 2007-08 and 2008-09 at Port Huron. Drulia also noted his character extends to his life away from the ice as well, "He is a great family man that I have known for three and a half years."
Born in Detroit, Kris Vernarsky was a second round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft after attention grabbing seasons with the U.S. National Under-18 Team and the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.
In his rookie professional season in 2002-03 he played in 65 games for the Providence Bruins of the AHL and also made his NHL debut appearing in 14 games and scoring a goal. He spent the next two seasons with Providence of the AHL while appearing in 3 more NHL games.
In 2004-05 Vernarsky spent most of the season with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL playing in 53 games and registering 16 goals and 20 assists. This upcoming season with the Nailers will mark his first ECHL games since 2005.
He has played in the UHL and IHL for the past five seasons since 2005-06. He played a half-season for former Nailers head coach Greg Puhalski with the Chicago Hounds in 2006-07 and was traded to Stan Drulia's team in Port Huron.
Vernarsky has his name all over the record books in the short history of the second incarnation of the IHL which spanned 2007-2010: 191 career games (12th in IHL history) 50 career goals (17th) 103 career assists (11th) 153 career points (13th)
Come see future Pittsburgh Penguins start their careers in Wheeling! The Nailers will open training camp in early October for the 19th season of professional hockey in the Friendly City. The season opener at WesBanco Arena is Friday, October 15th against the Toledo Walleye. Season tickets are on sale now providing all the same great benefits Nailers fans are accustomed to receiving. Call the Wheeling Nailers at 304-234-GOAL (304-234-4625) or toll-free at 1-877-NAIL-TIX. For more information log on to wheelingnailers.com.
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