Maione Named 2015-16 ECHL Defenseman of the Year
April 13, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers Defenseman Mathew Maione
(Wheeling Nailers)
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce that one of their players has received another accolade for his performance this season. Mathew Maione has been named the 2015-16 CCM Hockey ECHL Defenseman of the Year.
Maione, 25, was named to the All-ECHL First Team last week, becoming the sixth player in Wheeling history to be named to that team, and the first since Bryan Ewing in 2008-09. The Nailers acquired Mathew in a trade with the Brampton Beast on December 2nd, and immediately knew that they had landed a key player. Prior to joining his new team, the blueliner had tallied four goals and six assists in 17 games, following up a 43-point campaign in 2014-15. The Toronto, Ontario native notched six points in his first seven games in a Wheeling uniform, as the team went 4-1-2 from December 4th-18th. Maione recorded at least one point in 31 of his 53 games with the Nailers, accumulating seven goals, 37 assists, and 44 points following the trade. Five of the points came during a 3-0-1 run at the end of the year, when the club secured its position in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, including two goals in the regular season finale, which lifted Wheeling into fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Overall, Mathew racked up 54 points, leading all ECHL defensemen in scoring.
Mathew Maione becomes the second player in team history to win ECHL Defenseman of the Year, joining Ray DiLauro, who took home the award during the 2004-05 season. He finished ahead of Colorado's Adrian Veideman, Alaska's William Wrenn, Reading's Adam Comrie, and Colorado's Collin Bowman. Voting for the award was done by ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors, and media members.
The Wheeling Nailers and Florida Everblades will begin their best-of-seven series on Friday and Saturday at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. The teams will then travel to Wheeling for games three, four, and five (if necessary) on April 20th, 22nd, and 23rd (if necessary).
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 Wheeling Nailers Defenseman Mathew Maione |
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