Nailers Announce 2015-16 Theme: "Join the Evolution"
October 8, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, held their second annual State of the Team Event on Thursday night at Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino, and Racetrack.
The evening began with a Meet & Greet with the current 2015 Training Camp Roster, giving fans an opportunity to meet all of the players they will cheer for during the upcoming season. The Nailers are a team that prides itself on not being just a collection of numbers and names on the ice, but also a group of individuals that fans can get to know on an individual basis off of the ice, as they make themselves a part of the Wheeling community.
Radio Broadcaster DJ Abisalih opened the press conference portion of the event by introducing the six guest speakers, each member of the team, and the front office staff.
The first speaker was Nailers Governor Don Rigby. The theme of the 2015-16 season is "Join the Evolution." Rigby explained how the organization discovered that theme, and what it means not only to the team, but also to the city and the arena, as all three evolve together. Don's speech was concluded by a video with fans, local personalities, and celebrities, holding a sign stating, "I Joined the Evolution."
Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron was second to speak. The city played a major role in the renovations at WesBanco Arena, which began during last season, with the installation of the video board. This season will see even more changes, with new seats, new loge boxes, as well as some exciting new amenities for the players, such as a new weight room and lounge.
Nailers Head Coach Clark Donatelli was next up to the podium. Donatelli started out by thanking the team's ownership, the arena, and the city for all of the work they do to help the Nailers recruit the best possible team to play in Wheeling. Clark is excited to have the nucleus of his team returning for another season, and truly believes that the on-ice product in 2015-16 will be very good and entertaining.
Up fourth was WesBanco Arena Executive Director Dennis Magruder. On Tuesday, he announced that three local area restaurants would be joining the food scene both at Nailers home games, and at other major events held inside the venue. DePasquale's Trattoria, Quaker Steak & Lube, and River City Ale Works will join Generations, giving fans exciting new food options, thus encouraging early arrival for dinner and a hockey game.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were kind enough to have Player Development Coach and three-time Stanley Cup Winner Mark Recchi attend the event. Recchi spoke of players such as Bobby Farnham and Tom Kuhnhackl, who began their professional careers in Wheeling, and are now members of the Penguins. The relationship between Pittsburgh and Wheeling is one of the strongest in pro hockey, as the two clubs enter their 17th consecutive season as affiliates.
Wheeling Vice Mayor Gene Fahey was the final guest speaker of the evening. Following up Herron's earlier speech, Fahey touched on the importance of the Nailers in the City of Wheeling, and the relationship that the city has with the hockey team.
Abisalih concluded the night by thanking the sponsors that made the event possible, inviting fans to attend the booster club's next meeting at DiCarlo's Pizza on October 12th at 7:00, and leading a cheer of "Let's Go Nailers," in preparation for Friday's home preseason game, as well as the October 24th home opener.
The Nailers would like to thank all who attended Thursday's event, as well as sponsors WesBanco, OVMC/EORH, Main Street Bank, Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino, and Racetrack, The City of Wheeling, Ohio County Commission, Wheeling-Ohio County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, and McDonald's.
All fans can receive free tickets for the home preseason game on Friday by visiting the Nailers office, or can purchase them for $5 each, by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting the WesBanco Arena Box Office.
Individual tickets, season tickets, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now, with prices starting as low as $10 per seat. The Nailers will begin the 2015-16 regular season on October 16th and 17th in Norfolk, before the home opener takes place on October 24th against Brampton at 7:35. For tickets and more information, call the Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL or online at wheelingnailers.com.
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