ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Ben Street Makes NHL Debut with Calgary

Published on February 10, 2013 under 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 that the 44th member of their alumni has reached the National Hockey League. On Friday afternoon, the Calgary Flames recalled forward Ben Street from the AHL's Abbotsford Heat, in preparation for Saturday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.

Street, 25, makes his NHL debut just four days shy of his 26th birthday, while playing in his second professional organization. Ben began his journey to professional hockey at the University of Wisconsin, where he took home a National Championship during the 2005-06 season, before also appearing in the National Championship game during the 2009-10 campaign.

Following graduation, the London, ON native came to Wheeling, where he appeared in 38 games during the 2010-11 season, while quickly putting the rest of the ECHL on notice that his stay in the league was going to be a brief one. During that time, Street posted 24 goals, 27 assists, and 51 points, netting one hat trick, accumulating four points on three occasions, and recording multiple points in seven consecutive games during the month of January. For his efforts with the Nailers, Ben was named ECHL Rookie of the Year, while also snagging Player of the Month honors in December.

In early February of 2011, Street made his stay in the AHL a permanent one, as he went on to finish that season with 12 goals, 11 assists, and 23 points in 36 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Ben continued his strong play with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton the following year, racking up 27 goals, 30 assists, and 57 points in 71 games. During the summer of 2012, the 5-foot-11 forward made the decision to sign with the Calgary Flames, ultimately continuing his offensive success with the Abbotsford Heat. In 44 games with the Heat, Street had 12 goals, 19 assists, and 31 points, leading the Flames to take notice, bringing him to the NHL.

Ben Street becomes the 44th member of the Wheeling Nailers/Thunderbirds organization to appear in an NHL game, along with the 498th player in ECHL history to reach hockey's highest level. He becomes the first player from the 2010-11 team to reach "the show," along with being the first Nailer coached by Stan Drulia to make it to the NHL. Finally, Ben joins Kevin Dahl, Craig Ferguson, Jason Jaffray, Dany Sabourin, Yves Sarault, and possibly soon, Danny Taylor, as former Nailers to play in a game with the Calgary Flames.

Royals Stun Nailers 3-0

Wheeling Begins Eight-Game Road Trip Sunday

Saturday night in Wheeling, the Nailers welcomed the Reading Royals to town for their final home game in the month of February. Unfortunately, the Royals spoiled the party, as Brandon Anderson made 19 saves in a 3-0 shutout victory for the visitors.

Reading's first goal came at the 14:51 mark of the first period, while the Royals were playing on the power play. David Vallorani whipped a pass through the slot to Stanislav Galiev, who scored a lightning quick goal from the bottom of the left circle.

Defense quickly became the name of the game, after Galiev's opening tally, as the score remained 1-0 in Reading's favor through the first 40 minutes of action. For the second game in a row, the sides combined for 30 shots in two periods, with the Royals totaling 19 to Wheeling's 11.

Early in the third period, the visitors added to their lead. Yannick Tifu took a centering pass from Nikita Kashirsky, and jammed it into the net from low in the slot. Twenty seconds later, Kashirsky netted a goal of his own, as the Royals skated away with the 3-0 triumph.

Joe Tolles put a bit of spark into the game for the Nailers, when he dropped the mitts with David Marshall in the third period. Tolles earned the game's third star for his efforts.

Brandon Anderson and Peter Delmas both made 19 saves in goal. Anderson was perfect for the Royals, picking up the win, while Delmas faced 22 shots in the loss for Wheeling.

The Nailers travel to Elmira on Sunday for a 4:05 face-off with the Jackals, in the first of eight straight road games. Wheeling's next home game will be on March 1st against the Trenton Titans.

Group and single game tickets can be purchased by calling 304-234-4625 or 1-877-NAIL-TIX. All Nailers games will be broadcast on Wheeling's rock station EAGLE 107 (107.5 FM). Fans can also listen to and watch all Nailers games on wheelingnailers.com.

2012-2013 Wheeling Nailers season tickets, flex pack tickets, group tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now! For as little as $10 per game, you can enjoy the many benefits of being a Nailers season ticket holder including reserved seating for all home games at WesBanco Arena, the option to redeem unused tickets, discounts on team merchandise and access to exclusive season ticket holder-only events with the team. Convenient payment plans are available. For more information on how to join our team by becoming a Wheeling Nailers season ticket holder, or for more information on Flex Pack tickets or group tickets, call 304-234-4625 or 1-877-NAIL-TIX, e-mail ticketing@wheelingnailers.com or visit www.wheelingnailers.com. Nailers single-game tickets are available at the WesBanco Arena Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 304-234-4625 or 1-877-NAIL-TIX.

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ECHL Stories from February 10, 2013


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