First Round Pick Joins Nailers
Published on October 5, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the "AA" affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers, announced today that they have signed Alexei Smirnov for the upcoming season.
Smirnov, 25, was selected in the first round by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks (12th overall pick) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. The native of Tver, Russia has 56 games of NHL experience with Anaheim (2002-04), including four playoff games in 2003. He has also appeared in 135 American Hockey League games with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks scoring 47 points (25g, 22a) with 99 penalty minutes.
"Alexei has world-class skill," said Nailers President Jim Brooks. "We are looking to him to help us generate a lot of offense this year."
This will be his second season in the ECHL after spending last year with the Long Beach. The 6-foot-3-inch, 215 pound center registered 31 points (12g, 19a) in 38 games for the Ice Dogs. He spent the 2005-06 season playing for Omsk Avangard in the Russian Elite League.
The Nailers will open the ECHL's 20th Anniversary season with a game against the Johnstown Chiefs on Oct. 18th. It will be a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals. Wheeling will open their home schedule on Oct. 26 against the South Carolina Stingrays.
For ticketing information call the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL (toll free at 877-NAIL-TIX) or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.
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