Kuhnhackl Becomes 55th Former Nailer to Reach NHL
January 11, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce that a 55th former Nailer/Thunderbird has made his National Hockey League debut. Tom Kuhnhackl reached the NHL on Friday night, posting a +1 rating with a blocked shot, as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 3-1 at Bell Centre.
Kuhnhackl, 23, was selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft - a few months prior to him making the move from his home country of Germany, to North America, where he joined the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires. After two seasons of junior hockey, Tom made the jump to the professional level at age 20, skating in his first game with the Nailers on October 13, 2012. Six days later, he netted his first career goal in Elmira. The Landshut, Germany native returned to Wheeling in the latter part of the 2013-14 season, and played a major role in the team's run to the second round of the playoffs, as he racked up 14 points in 16 regular season games, before adding six goals in ten playoff contests.
The fourth year pro has been a member of the Penguins organization for his entire career, spending the rest of his time with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, prior to Saturday's NHL debut. Kuhnhackl has appeared 154 games at the AHL level, totaling 29 goals, 30 assists, and 59 points. His best season took place a year ago, when he set a career-high with 30 points, while appearing in 72 of the club's 76 games.
On Saturday, Tom saw 9:26 of ice time for Wheeling's NHL affiliate, the Penguins. He blocked one shot (taken by Nathan Beaulieu), and was on the ice for Bryan Rust's goal in the second period, which turned out to be the game winner. One of Kuhnhackl's opponents during the game for Montreal was his teammate during the 2013-14 season with the Nailers - goaltender Mike Condon.
Tom Kuhnhackl becomes the 55th Nailer/Thunderbird to reach the NHL and third this season, joining Mike Condon and Paul Thompson. Kuhnhackl also becomes the eighth player from Clark Donatelli's five-year era as head coach to reach professional hockey's highest level.
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