ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Announce Opening Night Roster

Published on October 14, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


The Wheeling Nailers, the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens today announced the team's 2011-12 Opening Roster. The season begins tonight, as the Nailers travel to play the Greenville Road Warriors then travel to Charleston, SC to face the South Carolina Stingrays. The games will be reminiscent of last season's playoffs, as the Nailers eliminated both teams on their way to the League's Conference Finals.

The Opening Roster consists of 21 players (20 active and 1 on injured reserve) - 2 goaltenders, 7 defensemen, and 12 forwards.

Nine of the 21 players on the 2011-12 roster return from last season - which is the largest amount in years. The returning cast includes: the Nailers' third leading scorer Mickael Bedard; ECHL All-Star goaltender Patrick Killeen; and the team's top scoring defenseman Kyle Bushee. Also returning for the Nailers are the popular Crowder brothers (Paul and Tim), who were acquired late in the season and helped the team to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Of the new faces on this year's team, two might be familiar to Nailers fans - Matt Lombardi and Zack Torquato. Lombardi, acquired in a trade earlier this week, scored 20 goals with the Trenton Devils last season; and Torquato was a top scoring threat with the Toledo Walleye last season.

The 2011-12 version of the Nailers is currently made up of 14 Canadians and 7 Americans. The team's average age is 23.7 years old, with Paul Crowder entering the year as the oldest player, 26 years, 8 months, and 3 days. Patrick Killeen is the team's youngest player, 21 years, 5 months, and 30 days.

Stan Drulia is entering his second season as the head coach of the Nailers, after leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Drulia played in parts of 13 professional seasons in the NHL, AHL, IHL, and ECHL, suiting up in 126 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Stan will be joined on the bench by Clark Donatelli, who played in parts of seven professional seasons in the NHL, AHL, and IHL. Donatelli played in 35 games in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars and the Boston Bruins.

Also on the bench this season will be the team's new athletic therapist Pat Dragoone and equipment manager Billy Higgins, who enters his 9th season with the team.

The Wheeling Nailers will kick off the 20th season of hockey Friday night in Greenville, SC when they battle the Greenville Road Warriors. Catch all the action on the MIX 97.3 FM, iHeart Radio, wheelingnailers.com or Live on RTV9.

The Nailers return home to WesBanco Arena for their Home Opener on Saturday, October 22nd at 7:35pm when they host the Elmira Jackals and former Nailers Head Coach Pat Bingham. For more information, please contact the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL or online at wheelingnailers.com.

2011-2012 Nailers Opening Roster

Goaltenders

1 Patrick Killeen

30 Alex Kangas

Defensemen

6 Peter Merth

8 Nick Plastino

15 Zach Hansen

16 Andrew Hotham

20 Kyle Bushee

24 Tim Priamo

28 Joe Tolles (IR)

Forwards

3 Ben Winnett

7 Zack Torquato

10 Patrick Johnson

11 Christiaan Minella

12 Matt Lombardi

14 Ben Farrer

18 Chris Kushneriuk

19 Mickael Bedard

21 Tim Crowder

22 Paul Crowder

23 Chris Barton

27 Denver Manderson

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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