Nailer Nick Puts Down His Pen
Published on August 8, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
On October 18, 1992 the Wheeling Thunderbirds played their first game, and Nick Bedway was there. The Wheeling organization completed its 13th season on April 9, 2005, and Nick Bedway was there.
In between there were 968 games played, 367 players, 10 head coaches, three ownership groups, but just one Nick.
Nick Bedway covered the Wheeling franchise for 13 seasons, he worked for the Wheeling News Register and Intelligencer for 45 years. He saw ups and downs, highs and lows, good times and bad, and he is now retiring with many fond memories.
When the East Coast Hockey League came to Wheeling, many people including Nick got a crash course in hockey. Many people learned about the game and the Wheeling players by reading Nick's articles in the paper. And because of those stories, the fans in the Ohio Valley and Nick became more than just fans, they became part of the team.
"Nick wanted to be a very enthusiastic hockey fan and reporter. And just when he thought he had it figured out, something would come up and throw him off." Said Doug Sauter, Wheeling Thunderbirds head coach for its first three seasons. "I enjoyed his enthusiasm, and friendship most of all. He was always looking for a positive angle for a story; he didn't deal with the negative. Nick was always welcome in my office and I think he also liked my Christmas parties; he seemed to enjoy himself very much. I always kidded with him that I wanted to hit a 7-iron off his head with that perfect flattop, but promised I wouldn't take a divot."
Doug wasn't the only member of the organization that had fond memories and a story about Nick. He became part of the make up of the team and many involved with the Thunderbirds/Nailers had fond memories and gratitude for Nick's work.
Larry Kish who held the title of Vice President and General Manager when the team arrived said: "Nick was very supportive from the get go. He loved the concept of hockey in the Ohio Valley and he loved the Thunderbirds. He supported the team from day one and went the extra step to get a story with flavor and give the fans what they wanted. We as an organization were fortunate the paper supplied us with a full time writer to cover us. Nick had his thumb on the pulse of the team at all times and was an important part of our success."
Former Wheeling Nailers Head Coach and current NHL head coach Peter Laviollette remembered Nick as well: "He's got a warm personality, and only wanted good things for the Nailers and the community. He always reported good things, it wasn't that he never wrote anything bad, when we had a bad game he wrote about it. But, he always stayed positive, because that was just his personality."
ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna appreciates the work that was put in to help keep the league a viable part of the Ohio Valley: "The ECHL and its teams are very fortunate for the media coverage that we receive and as one of the veteran writers Nick played a role in that. We at the ECHL want to thank him for his support and coverage of the Wheeling Thunderbirds and the Wheeling Nailers for the past 13 years."
Nick's contributions and dedication to the team has also had an impact with the current Nailers ownership and coaching staff. Rob and Jim Brooks, co-owners of the Nailers, will always remember one of their first encounters with Nick: "Nick was one of the first friendly faces my brother (Jim) and I met in Wheeling." stated Rob. "From our first soda at Uncle Pete's through the end of this past season in April, Nick has continually impressed us with his hockey knowledge and love of the Ohio Valley."
"I like Nick and feel fortunate that I've had a chance to get to know him." said Head Coach Pat Bingham. "He did a great job covering the Nailers, always accurate and always fair. Nick was also the consummate professional, showing up to our weekly press conferences, practices and games to get a story. Speaking personally, I'm going to miss him. I consider Nick a friend and I hope to see him around the rink from time to time."
Nick may not be in the press box for all of the Nailers home games this season, and he may not write about wins and losses anymore, but he has had a lasting influence on the team and the area. The organization will begin its 14th season in Wheeling this fall, tenth as the Nailers, and the fact that the team is still here and still a part of the community is in some part due to the work that Nick Bedway did for the team the last 13 years.
ECHL Stories from August 8, 2005
- Colonel Claw'd Refs a Game; Mascots Go to Camp - Bakersfield Condors
- Royals Coach Derek Clancey Promoted to AHL Affiliate Manchester - Reading Royals
- Lynx solve Riddle - Augusta Lynx
- Sea Wolves Re-Sign Drake - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Stingrays To Hold Ice Dolls Tryouts - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailer Nick Puts Down His Pen - Wheeling Nailers
- Trio of rookies agree to terms for 2005-06 - San Diego Gulls
- Everblades sign rookie D-man Vukovic - Florida Everblades
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
