ECHL Wheeling Nailers

IHL Rookie of the Year Comes to Wheeling

August 9, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have added even more scoring punch to their roster with the signing of last season's IHL Rookie of the Year Mikael Bedard.

The 22 year old native of Montreal had quite the impressive debut professional season with Port Huron as he lit it up for 35 goals and 38 assists for 73 points to lead the IceHawks and also top all IHL rookies.

"Mikael is another young player who aspires to play the game at the highest level" said Nailers Head Coach Stan Drulia. "He will be the first guy on the ice and the last guy off the ice every day."

Bedard plays on the left wing and is a speedy 5'10" skater with a lefty shot. He scored 11 power play goals and netted 5 game-winners. He also led the league in plus-minus rating with a +34. Bedard scored two hat tricks and was named IHL Rookie of the Week six times while winning IHL Rookie of the Month twice.

This is the third player Head Coach Stan Drulia has brought with him to Wheeling from his team last year in Port Huron, Michigan team that went 47-25-4.

Mikael Bedard played in the professional LNAH (League North American de Hockey) in Quebec in 2008-09 with St. Georges but maintained his rookie status for Port Huron by only playing 22 games. From 2004 to 2008 he played with various juniors teams in Quebec, British Columbia and Manitoba where he scored over a point per game at every stop. That included his final year of juniors with Nanaimo of the BCHL where he scored 71 points and 31 goals in 59 games. He brought that scoring consistency to the pro level in Port Huron with 73 points in 76 games.

Nailers announced signings for 2010-2011:

Mikael Bedard

Kyle Bushee

Mike Gershon

Kris Vernarsky

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 great value and awesome benefits for Nailers fans. Get an 8 game Saturday Super Pack for only $100 or pick your favorite dates in a 12 game mini-pack for only $150!

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from August 9, 2010


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