Jason Jaffray Makes Most of NHL Debut
Published on December 13, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - Former Wheeling Nailers forward, Jason Jaffray made his National Hockey League debut last night as a member of the Vancouver Canucks. In the Canucks 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, Jaffray had the game-winning goal and also added an assist. Jaffray played 77 games for the Nailers over parts of the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons.
The Wheeling membership has now had more players make it to the NHL than any other team in the ECHL at 31. Jaffray is the first former player to make it to the NHL this season after Drew Fata (New York Islanders), David Koci (Chicago Blackhawks) and Daniel Carcillo (Phoenix Coyotes) all made their debuts last year. There were nine former Nailers/Thunderbirds playing in the NHL last season including current Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Dany Sabourin.
He became the 336th ECHL player to make it to the NHL and fifth since the start of the season.
Injuries to Vancouver forwards Jeff Cowan, Brad Isbister and Brendan Morrison made room for Jaffray on the roster, who was officially added to the team on Tuesday. He assisted on the games first goal, coming from another rookie making his NHL debut, when Mason Raymond gave the Canucks a 1-0 lead at 17:35 of the first. Raymond returned the favor by setting up Jaffray for his milestone just 4:54 into the second. It put Vancouver up 3-0 and goalie Curtis Sanford made it stand up.
Undrafted out of the WHL, the Olds, Alberta native led Wheeling in scoring during the 2003-04 season, notching 37 goals and 37 assists for 74 points in 54 games. He finished third in the ECHL in goals and 14th in the league in assists. He also earned 2nd Team ECHL All-Star honors and was selected ECHL Player of the Week (Dec. 29-Jan. 4) Jaffray joins Fata and Andy Chiodo from that Nailers squad to make it to the NHL. He spent five games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League as well.
He began the 2004-05 season with the Nailers and competed in 26 games while compiling 12 points. He signed a PTO with Cleveland (AHL) on Dec. 14 and notched 10 goals before being released on Feb. 25. Before he could even return to the Nailers he had signed another PTO with the Manitoba Moose. He finished the season in Manitoba playing in the final 14 games and one game in the 2005 playoffs.
The 26-year-old Jaffray spent the past two seasons with the Moose and was signed by the Vancouver Canucks to a two-way NHL contract on July 17. In 19 games this year with the Moose, he was second on the team with 21 points (10g, 11a) and 34 penalty minutes.
The Wheeling Nailers return to action on Friday for a game with the Dayton Bombers at 7pm. Their next home game is on Saturday when they welcome the Cincinnati Cyclones to WesBanco Arena. The game will begin at 8pm and will be televised live on WTOV9. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Wheeling Nailers "Going to Work" t-shirt. For ticketing information or to place a ticket order call 304-234-GOAL or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.
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