ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Canadiens Assign Four Players to Wheeling

October 4, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, have announced six player transactions, all taking effect immediately. The Hamilton Bulldogs assigned forwards Stefan Chaput, Olivier Fortier, and Ian Schultz, as well as defenseman Joe Stejskal to the Nailers. Hamilton also released forward Zack Torquato and goaltender Scott Darling from their training camp, meaning they will be reporting to Wheeling, where they were previously signed this summer.

Torquato, 23, is set to begin his second season with the Nailers, as well as his third full season in the ECHL. Zack was originally selected in the sixth round (178th) overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, and ended up playing in 12 games with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins, after his junior seasons were completed. During the 2010-11 campaign, the Sault Ste. Marie, ON native made the full jump to the pro game, joining the Toledo Walleye. In 116 career games at the ECHL level, Torquato has produced 23 goals, 61 assists, 84 points, and 92 penalty minutes.

Darling, 23, is set to begin his third season of professional hockey, while making his debut with the Nailers. Prior to turning pro, Scott attended the University of Maine for two seasons, where he compiled an overall record of 25-20-6, including a 15-6-3 mark during his sophomore season. Since then, the Lemont, IL native has spent two full seasons in the SPHL, suiting up with the Louisiana IceGators and Mississippi RiverKings. He also played one game each for the Florida Everblades and Wichita Thunder during the 2011-12 campaign.

Chaput, 24, has spent each of the last four seasons in the AHL, appearing in games with the Albany River Rats, Charlotte Checkers, Syracuse Crunch, and Providence Bruins. Prior to turning pro, Stefan spent four years with the QMJHL's Lewiston MAINEiacs, where he totaled 71 goals, 97 assists, and 168 points in 196 games, while also taking home the 2007 President's Cup as QMJHL Champions. In 164 AHL games, the Montreal, QC native has accumulated 24 goals, 46 assists, and 70 points.

Fortier, 23, has spent each of the last two seasons with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs. Prior to turning pro, Olivier spent four seasons in the QMJHL with the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Rimouski Oceanic, where he potted 65 goals, 96 assists, and 161 points in 205 games, while also appearing in the 2009 Memorial Cup with the host Oceanic. In his two full seasons with the Bulldogs, the Quebec, QC native appeared in 106 games, scoring 17 goals, 18 assists, and 35 points.

Schultz, 22, has spent each of the last two seasons with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, after being acquired by the Montreal Canadiens in the trade that sent goaltender Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues. Prior to turning pro, Ian spent four seasons with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, where he recorded 55 goals, 72 assists, and 127 points in 196 games, while also taking home the 2010 Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions. In his two full seasons with the Bulldogs, the Calgary, AB native appeared in 105 games, tallying nine goals, 18 assists, and 27 points.

Stejskal, 24, spent last season with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, after finishing the 2010-11 campaign with the club. Prior to turning pro, Joe attended Dartmouth College for four years, where he racked up 14 goals, 18 assists, and 32 points in 126 games on the blueline for the Big Green. The Grand Rapids, MN native then made the jump to the AHL, where he has registered three assists in 62 games.

The additions of Torquato, Darling, Chaput, Fortier, Schultz, and Stejskal brings the Nailers' active training camp roster to 26 players (14 forwards, nine defensemen, three goalies).

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