Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Signs Patrick McGrath
July 8, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced that forward Patrick McGrath has signed an American Hockey League contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
McGrath, 22, has spent the majority of his professional career with the Nailers, becoming an instant fan favorite from the time he stepped foot into West Virginia. During the 2013-14 season, he was named Fan Choice Player of the Year, leading to his bobblefist night on December 6, 2014. Fisticuffs have played a major role in Patrick's game, as he led the ECHL with 26 major penalties during the 2014-15 campaign, and has amassed 422 penalty minutes in 104 games with Wheeling. After registering just one assist as a rookie, the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania native added more offense in year two, tallying three goals, five assists, and eight points. McGrath's first pro goal came on November 15th at Indy, while his second came on the aforementioned bobblefist night, which was accompanied by a fight.
Prior to turning pro, Patrick spent two years playing junior hockey in Prince Edward Island with the QMJHL's PEI Rocket (now Charlottetown Islanders) and MHL's Summerside Western Capitals. McGrath totaled one goal, two points, and 229 penalty minutes in 72 games with the Rocket, in addition to one goal, four points, and 186 penalty minutes in 21 games with the Western Capitals.
This is the first American Hockey League contract for Patrick McGrath, who suited up in two games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton under a professional tryout last season. He has attended training camp with the AHL Penguins in both 2013 and 2014, while appearing with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2014 Rookie Tournament in London, Ontario.
The Wheeling Nailers will start the 2015-16 season with a two-game road series against the Norfolk Admirals on October 16th and 17th, before playing their home opener on October 24th against the Brampton Beast at 7:35.
Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
Listen to all Nailers regular season and post-season games live on the Valley's rock station EAGLE 107.5 FM, on www.iheartradio.com or watch live on www.echl.tv. Catch every road game live on WLUTV on Comcast Cable 14.
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- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Signs Patrick McGrath - Wheeling Nailers
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