David Gove Named Nailers Head Coach
January 21, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers Head Coach David Gove
(Wheeling Nailers)
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced that David Gove has been named the team's head coach for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.
"After watching the way he went about his business as our interim head coach over the past few weeks, we as an organization believe that David Gove is the perfect fit to lead our team for the remainder of this season," said Nailers Governor Don Rigby. "We have had numerous players tell us that the response to him in the locker room has been overwhelmingly positive, and we feel like that energy will help lead us in a positive direction."
Gove, 37, came to Wheeling at the start of the year, serving as the club's assistant coach under Clark Donatelli, who led the Nailers to a 147-119-32 record in parts of five seasons, including a 14-10-3 mark in 2015-16, before being promoted to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. At that time, David also received a promotion, being named as interim head coach in Wheeling - a role he has held for the past ten games. During that time, Gove has already seen eight players spend time in the American Hockey League, including ECHL contracted players Derek Army, Riley Brace, and Zack Torquato, who have all recorded points during their AHL tenures.
"A few weeks ago, David Gove was given an opportunity to lead the Nailers during a challenging time in the season, and we as an organization truly appreciated his efforts, and his drive to put a competitive team on the ice," said Pittsburgh Penguins Associate General Manager Jason Botterill. "David was able to play for some outstanding coaches in his career, such as Dan Bylsma and Todd Reirden, and his experience this season with Clark Donatelli will benefit him as he leads the Nailers moving forward."
Prior to becoming a coach, the Centerville, Massachusetts native played professional hockey for parts of nine seasons, beginning with the Orlando Solar Bears during their run to the 2001 Turner Cup Championship in the then International Hockey League. Gove's 522-game career took him through the ECHL in Johnstown, the AHL in Grand Rapids, San Antonio, Utah, Providence, Lowell, Albany, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and the NHL in Carolina. His National Hockey League debut took place at Montreal, during the Hurricanes' 2005-06 Stanley Cup winning season. David also went to the Calder Cup Final with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2008, as well as the Eastern Conference Final with the Providence Bruins in 2005. As his playing career came to an end in 2008-09, Gove served as a second assistant coach to Todd Reirden with the AHL Penguins.
"I am thankful, excited and honored to have this opportunity to coach for an organization that has such a proud and storied history," Gove said. "We have a group of players here that started the year with championship aspirations, and while we have been tested with lots of adversity over the last month, I am looking forward to moving back in the right direction, and continuing those championship aspirations."
Gove's Nailers will take the ice for their next game on Friday night at WesBanco Arena for the first of three games this weekend. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Trucker Hat, courtesy of Main Street Bank, while The Highlands and Bordas & Bordas present Flat Screen Friday, in addition to Frosty Friday. Saturday night is Pittsburgh Pirates Night, starring catcher and 2015 leading hitter Francisco Cervelli. On Sunday, McDonald's presents $5 kids tickets, and fans can skate with the team after the game, thanks to KoSports Hockey.
Images from this story
 Wheeling Nailers Head Coach David Gove |
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