ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Announce Player Moves

Published on February 17, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV-- The Wheeling Nailers, the $B!F(BAA' affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have signed Center Billy Ryan to a contract. The Nailers have also announced that goalie Adam Berkhoel has been reassigned from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL.

Ryan played 22 games for the Nailers in February and March last season where he immediately went on a scoring tear racking up 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points. He added another 5 points in the Nailers' playoff run. Before that he was a member of the 2008-2009 AHL Philadelphia Phantoms team, where he participated in 15 games before being acquired by Wheeling. Ryan has been recovering from an injury this year as he gets ready to rejoin the Nailers,

Ryan, 24, was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the 3rd round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and before entering the professional ranks, he spent 4 years at the University of Maine where he compiled a total of 35 goals and 57 assists. Before that he played at the Cushing Academy outside of Boston where he was teammates with last year's ECHL Rookie of the Year Bryan "Boomer" Ewing.

Berkhoel, 28, has appeared in a total of seven games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, posting a 4-3-0 record, 2.98 goals against average, and a.892 save percentage. He drew the start on Valentine's Day against the Adirondack Phantoms, and stopped 26 shots to help the Penguins extend their winning streak to three games with a 4-3 victory.

Berkhoel received his weekend call-up to WBS when Brent Johnson was injured in Pittsburgh requiring a call-up of John Curry from the AHL.

Berkhoel was first assigned to Wheeling on October 26th. He went on to appear in ten games with the Nailers, posting a 4-4-1 record, a 3.54 goals against average and a save percentage of.881. He was recalled by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on December 2nd and appeared in his first game with the Penguins this season on December 9th at Syracuse. Berkhoel stopped all 25 shots he faced in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 6-0 victory, his fifth clean sheet as a member of the Penguins.

In his most recent reassignment to Wheeling, the native of St. Paul, MN put together a record of 3-2-1 in six appearances, a goals-against average of 2. 80, and a.901 save percentage with the Nailers.

The 5-11, 185-lb. netminder finished last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton owning a record of 15-11-2 in 28 games, a goals-against average of 2.53 and a save percentage of.910.

Berkhoel was the ECHL Goaltender of the year for 2006-07 while leading the Dayton Bombers to the Kelly Cup Finals. He played in 9 games in the NHL for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005-06 and won a NCAA championship with the Denver Pioneers in 2003-04.

The Nailers continue their season long seven game road trip with Friday and Saturday night games at the North Division leading Cincinnati Cyclones followed by a Sunday afternoon game at the Trenton Devils.

The Wheeling Nailers will return home to WesBanco Arena on Friday March 5th when they host the Charlotte Checkers. Purchase a Friday Family Four Pack for $44 and receive four tickets, Cokes, and Hot Dogs. On Saturday March 6th the Nailers host the Trenton Devils at 8:05 PM. The first 2500 fans through the gates will receive an OV McBear bobble head courtesy of OVMC and CORE. For ticketing information call the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL (toll free at 877-NAIL-TIX) or visit shop.wheelingnailers.com.

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ECHL Stories from February 17, 2010


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