ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Announce 2016 Kelly Cup Playoff Roster

April 12, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced their roster for the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs. The roster consists of 19 active players, one reserve player, and seven players who are eligible, but are currently in the American Hockey League. The active roster features 11 forwards, seven defensemen, and one goaltender.

In goal, Franky Palazzese will get his second taste of playoff action as a pro, after seeing his postseason cut short due to an injury in game three against Toledo last spring. This season, Palazzese became the second netminder in team history to post multiple 20-win seasons, as he went 20-15-3 in 39 games, including four shutouts. He also made his American Hockey League debut, earning a win for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Brian Foster is currently with the AHL Penguins, but he is listed as a reserve, while Casey DeSmith is one of the seven eligible players that can fill the final three slots. Foster, who has playoff experience with both Cincinnati and Stockton, was 10-8-3 at the ECHL level this season, while DeSmith, a rookie, turned in a 5-2-2 mark in 13 appearances.

All-ECHL First Team member Mathew Maione gets the defensive roster started, after leading the league in defensive scoring with 54 points during the regular season. Maione missed the postseason last year with Brampton, but reached the second round in 2014 as a Fort Wayne Komet. Paul Cianfrini has the most playoff experience among the blueliners, as he is one of two players on the active roster to be appearing in his third postseason with the Nailers. One player who has been eagerly awaiting the playoffs is James Melindy, who will get to skate in his first pro postseason match after playing 163 career regular season games. Clark Seymour is the other player on the back end with prior playoff experience, as he brings his team-best +13 rating to the dance, while rookies Brett Stern, Danny Fick, and Kevin Schulze will all get to experience extra hockey to begin their careers. Harrison Ruopp is the lone defenseman eligible to join the club later in the playoffs.

Wheeling also has an end-of-season star among its group of forwards, as All-ECHL Second Team member Riley Brace will look to follow up his 67-point campaign with a successful run through the playoffs. Over the last few months of the season, Brace teamed with Cody Wydo to form an electric tandem, as Wydo finished the year with 23 goals and 50 points. Joining those two on the expected top unit is John McCarron, who scored the tying and winning goals in Friday's 4-3 clincher over Reading. Captain Shane Bakker returned to the squad for the final three games of the regular season, and will join Cianfrini as the second player on the active roster who will appear in his third postseason with Wheeling. Anton Zlobin is expected to play in his first playoff games as a Nailer, but in 2014, he finished tied for third in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, compiling ten points in 15 Calder Cup Playoff tilts. Andrew Ammon and Jordan Kwas have suited up for one and two playoff games respectively, while Connor Leen, Ty Loney, Dan O'Donoghue, and Matt Tabrum could all make their debuts during the first round series. Derek Army, Jarrett Burton, Sahir Gill, Adam Krause, and Zack Torquato have been placed on the eligible list, making them possible candidates to join the team in the latter stages of the postseason.

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).

Roster

4 D Paul Cianfrini

5 D Danny Fick

6 D James Melindy

7 F Connor Leen

8 D Kevin Schulze

9 F Dan O'Donoghue

11 F Cody Wydo

14 F Matt Tabrum

17 F Jordan Kwas

18 D Mathew Maione

19 F Shane Bakker

21 F Andrew Ammon

22 D Clark Seymour

23 F Riley Brace

24 F Ty Loney

25 F John McCarron

27 D Brett Stern

28 F Anton Zlobin

29 G Franky Palazzese

Reserve

31 G Brian Foster

Eligible Players in the AHL

F Derek Army

F Jarrett Burton

G Casey DeSmith

F Sahir Gill

F Adam Krause

D Harrison Ruopp

F Zack Torquato

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from April 12, 2016


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