DeFazio Becomes 50th Former Nailer to Reach NHL
November 10, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, are happy to announce that a 50th former Nailer/Thunderbird has made his National Hockey League debut. Brandon DeFazio reached the NHL on Sunday night, as the Vancouver Canucks visited the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.
DeFazio, 26, is in the midst of his fourth full season of professional hockey, after attending Clarkson University for four years, where he majored in Business, in addition to playing for the Golden Knights. After completing his senior season, Brandon joined the Nailers at the end of the 2010-11 campaign, registering four goals, five assists, and nine points in ten regular season contests, before adding four goals, two assists, and six points in 14 playoff games, as Wheeling reached the Eastern Conference Final. Two of the four tallies came during the opening game of that series, including the game winner.
Prior to Sunday night, the Etobicoke, ON native had spent the remainder of his professional time in the American Hockey League, playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and Utica Comets. In 226 career AHL games, DeFazio has compiled 43 goals, 38 assists, 81 points, and 363 penalty minutes, eclipsing the ten-goal and 100-penalty minute marks in each of his three full seasons. Brandon's best year came in 2013-14, when he totaled 17 goals, 17 assists, and 34 points in 76 games with Utica.
On Sunday, DeFazio logged 6:04 of ice time, receiving ten shifts, while coming up with one takeaway. His Canucks edged the Ducks 2-1 in a shootout.
Brandon DeFazio becomes the 50th Nailer/Thunderbird to reach the NHL, and second this season, joining Scott Darling, who achieved the feat on October 26th. He is also the third player from the 2010-11 Wheeling team to reach the NHL, joining Alex Grant and Ben Street.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from November 10, 2014
- Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report - Wheeling Nailers
- Stingrays Too Much for Warriors in 5-1 Loss - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Stingrays Bury Road Warriors 5-1 Behind Three-Point Performances from Downing and Diamond - South Carolina Stingrays
- The Mavs Minute - Missouri Mavericks Weekly - Kansas City Mavericks
- Jackals Weekly - Elmira Jackals
- K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Wings
- ECHL Transactions - November 10 - ECHL
- Mallards Weekly Update - Quad City Mallards
- Fuel Weekly - Indy Fuel
- Gladiators Add Chartrain to the Blue Line - Atlanta Gladiators
- Royals to Acknowledge and Honor Veterans and Military Active Duty During Historic Army-Navy Hockey D - Reading Royals
- Thunder Weekly - Wichita Thunder
- Frozen in Time-The Weekly IceMen Update - Evansville IceMen
- Oil Drops: Tulsa Oilers Weekly Report - Tulsa Oilers
- DeFazio Becomes 50th Former Nailer to Reach NHL - Wheeling Nailers
- Walleye Weekly - Toledo Walleye
- Radio Recon's Ready to Learn How to Start a White-Hot Blaze - Reading Royals
- Walleye off to best start in five years - ECHL
- Defenseman Michal Cajkovsky Recalled to Hershey Bears - South Carolina Stingrays
- Weekly Weather Report: News and Notes of the Stockton Thunder - Stockton Thunder
- Grizzlies Start 4 Home Games in 7 Nights Tuesday - Utah Grizzlies
- Komets Ride Reading for 4-Point Weekend; Push Unbeaten Road Start to 5-0-0 - Fort Wayne Komets
- Trio Recalled by AHL's Stars - Idaho Steelheads
- $2 Drafts and Free Appetizers During Jackals Coach's Show Tomorrow - Elmira Jackals
- Cyclones Weekly - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Nailers Announce Return of Wheeling Casino Nailer Nights - Wheeling Nailers
- Battle of the Palmetto State Continues Tonight against the Greenville Road Warriors - South Carolina Stingrays
- What's the Rush? - Rapid City Rush
- Stingrays Weekly: Friday Family Four Packs, Benefitfocus Night, Red Cross Food Drive and Family Day - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - November 10 - ECHL
- Connor Jones' power play goal helps Bakersfield escape with 37 seconds left - Alaska Aces
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
