ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Jensen and Jaeger Join Nailers

December 11, 2007 - 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 the Penguins have re-assigned forward Joe Jensen to the Wheeling Nailers from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). In a separate move, the Nailers have claimed goaltender Brett Jaeger (jay-ger) off ECHL waivers.

Pittsburgh has also recalled Paul Bissonnette and Kyle Rank to the Baby Pens.

Jensen, 24, has appeared in 18 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton accounting for two points (1g, 1a) and 23 penalty minutes. The second year pro spent half of his rookie season with the Nailers in 2006-07. He scored 29 points (11g, 18a) in 28 games for Wheeling while registering 11 points (6g, 5a) in 26 games with the Penguins.

An ECHL All-Star in 2007, Jensen won the fastest skater competition in Boise, ID. A graduate of St. Cloud State University, he was drafted by the Penguins in the eighth round (#232) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

In his four-year career at with the Huskies, Jensen accumulated 100 points (45g, 55a) in 153 games. The 5-foot-11-inch, 180 pound winger was named to the 2005-06 All-WCHA Academic Team and SCSU's Sam LoPresti Award winner for Most Determined Player in 2005-06, the second consecutive season he won the award. He also owns the team record for career game winning goals with 13. He ranks 18th in the team's career record book with 18 power play goals and his four career SHGs rank eighth.

Jaeger, 25, began the season with the Utah Grizzlies going 0-5-0 with a 5.64 goals-against average and a .817 save percentage. The native of Peace River, Alberta is in his fourth season in the ECHL and the Wheeling Nailers is his fifth team. Last season he split his time between Augusta and Long Beach, posting a 12-25-1 record and a 3.56 GAA. He spent 2004-06 as a member of the Fresno Falcons.

As a rookie, the 22-year-old set Fresno Falcons records for highest save percentage, lowest goals-against average and longest shutout streak (166:52, February 15-20). He was also named to the ECHL National Conference All-Star Team.

Bissonnette, 22, in his third season with the Wheeling Nailers is currently tied for second among all ECHL defenseman in scoring with 17 points and is tied for the league lead in assists (14). Drafted in the fourth round (#121 overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by Pittsburgh, he has played 58 games in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton over the previous two seasons.

Rank, 25, has registered 12 points (5g, 7a) in 22 games during his rookie season with the Nailers. Last season he completed his collegiate career at St. Lawrence University and played 10 games in the AHL with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, registering two goals and two assists.

The Wheeling Nailers hit the road to face the Dayton Bombers on Friday night at 7pm. They return home on Saturday to take on the Cincinnati Cyclones for an 8pm start. The game will be televised live on WTOV9 and the first 2,500 fans will receive a Nailers "Going to Work" T-shirt.

Call 304-234-GOAL to purchase tickets or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 11, 2007


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