Aaron Clarke Re-Signs with Nailers
August 18, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins and the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, are excited to announce the re-signing of forward Aaron Clarke and the addition of rookie forward Anthony Perdicaro.
Clarke is coming back to Wheeling for his third season with the Nailers. The product of Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh has 30 goals and 43 assists in 100 games in two previous seasons with the Nailers.
"We welcome back Aaron to our team. Clarky provides us with fine leadership and great intensity. He's looking forward to the upcoming year."
Last year the 5'9", 185 pound Clarke served as Wheeling's captain for much of the season but he also was a busy traveller. The 26 year old's hard work with the Nailers was noticed at the next level and three different AHL teams called him up for a total of 32 games with the Albany River Rats (22 games), Providence Bruins (7 games) and Binghamton Senators (3 games). Clarke's first ever call-up to the AHL came on December 26th when the Binghamton Senators had an opening. He would end up getting the call four different times by the three teams.
That same hard work that got him to the next level also earned Clarke a trip to the ECHL All-Star game in January where he scored a goal early in the 2nd period as Greg Puhalski's American Conference squad recorded an 11-5 victory over the National Conference.
Overall on 2008-09 Clarke scored 13 goals and 42 points including 11 goals and 37 points with the Nailers.
Prior to coming to the Nailers in 2007-08, Clarke had a successful college career with two seasons at Niagara University followed by two seasons at Robert Morris. His senior season with the Colonials he was second on the team in scoring with 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 35 games.
Anthony Perdicaro comes to the Nailers for his rookie season of professional hockey after splitting time last year with a pair of teams in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Cowichan Valley Capitals and the Penticton Vees.
At only 20 years old Perdicaro will be one of the youngest members of the Nailers.
The 6'2" tall East Rockaway, NY native wasn't afraid to mix it up as he accumulated 111 penalty minutes in 28 games with the Capitals last year but also had a solid scoring touch with 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in that stretch. He had a total of 18 goals and 22 helpers in 50 games for his two teams combined.
"We want Anthony to show the intensity he displayed in junior and bring it to the Nailers"
Perdicaro also had experience with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Major Juniors Hockey League in 2007-08 as well as in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and in the USHL with the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets over a three year career in juniors.
The Wheeling Nailers home opener is set for Friday October 23rd against the Cincinnati Cyclones. Call the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL to book your group today.
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- Murray Promoted To Vice President Of Hockey Operations - ECHL
- Ryan Nie Returns To Kalamazoo - Kalamazoo Wings
- Aaron Clarke Re-Signs with Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
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