Nailers Re-Sign Paul Cianfrini
August 8, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, are excited to announce their seventh player signing of the 2014 offseason. Wheeling has re-signed defenseman Paul Cianfrini to an ECHL contract.
Cianfrini, 25, has played two full seasons of professional hockey, spending the entire 2013-14 campaign with the Nailers, along with the first 19 games of the 2012-13 season. Last year, Paul showed his versatility by playing both defense and forward, which led him to a 16-point output and +14 rating in 66 regular season games. During the playoffs, the Dundas, ON native added a pair of assists, while tallying 17 penalty minutes in ten contests. Prior to the final regular season home game, Cianfrini was honored with the Project Best Players Player Award - an award voted on by his teammates.
"Paul Cianfrini is a solid two-way defensemen, who also has the ability to play forward, is a great team player, does whatever he is asked, and plays hard every night," said Head Coach Clark Donatelli. "Last year, his teammates picked him as their Players Player Award winner, which means that his peers look up to him, as someone they can model themselves after," he said.
Paul has also spent time with the Toledo Walleye and Trenton Titans during his pro career, notching two goals, 27 assists, and 29 points in 138 games. Prior to that, the 6-foot-1 blueliner played four seasons of junior hockey with the Belleville Bulls and Erie Otters, while also attending Nipissing University for two years. His most productive season offensively came in 2010-11 at Nipissing, when he registered five goals and 21 points in 28 games. Last fall, Cianfrini attended training camp with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs.
"I wanted to come back to Wheeling first of all for the great bunch of guys we had last year," Cianfrini said. "I think we accomplished a lot, and want to build on that. I've been training really hard this summer, as I want to have a good start to the season," he said. "I had a great experience last year in Wheeling, the fans were great, and I enjoyed getting to know some personally."
Paul Cianfrini and the Wheeling Nailers will open the 2014-15 regular season on Saturday, October 18th at 7:35, when they do battle with the Reading Royals at WesBanco Arena. Season tickets are available, starting at $10 for adults and $8 for kids. For tickets and more information, call the Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL.
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ECHL Stories from August 8, 2014
- Walleye Add Dominating Forward - Toledo Walleye
- 'Blades Announce Free Agent Camp Schedule & Open House - Florida Everblades
- Nailers Re-Sign Paul Cianfrini - Wheeling Nailers
- Stingrays Add Toughness with Return of Forward Anthony Collins - South Carolina Stingrays
- Royals Agree to Terms with Defenseman Matt Campanale - Reading Royals
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