Nailers Hand out Team Awards, Announce Playoff Slogan
April 6, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, held their 2015-16 Team Awards and Playoff Rally on Wednesday night at Undo's in Elm Grove.
The team awards were the first items on the agenda, as the Nailers welcomed participating sponsors to the event, so that they could personally present the awards to the players.
For the second straight season, Riley Brace took home the OVMC/EORH Leading Scorer Award. Brace ranks fifth in the ECHL with 63 points, despite missing 16 games due to time in the American Hockey League.
Mathew Maione has been a member of the Nailers for four months, but his outgoing personality and willingness to participate in activties earned him the McDonald's Community Award. Prior to joining Wheeling, Maione raised $1,544 for Movember, while he was playing for the Brampton Beast.
The Carenbauer Distribution Plus/Minus Award went to Clark Seymour, who leads the team with a +11 rating. The Nailers have posted a 21-10-5 record with Seymour in the lineup, as he has drilled home eight goals from the blueline this season.
Brett Stern had a successful evening at Undo's, as he made the walk up to the podium twice. Stern became the second straight rookie to win the Project BEST Player's Player Award, which was selected by his teammates. Later on, he posed with the Riesbeck's Food Markets Fan Choice Player of the Year, becoming the third rookie in a row to snare that honor.
Paul Cianfrini was named the Wine and Beverage Merchants of West Virginia Defensive MVP, setting a career-high with 21 points, while appearing in all but one regular season game. Joining him in the MVP category was WesBanco Offensive MVP Jarrett Burton. Burton is currently with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but during his time with the Nailers, he stepped his game up, tallying 38 points in 44 games. Speaking of a player who stepped up his game, Cody Wydo was the WesBanco Rookie of the Year. Wydo has racked up 47 points in his last 49 games, and was recently named ECHL Rookie of the Month in March.
2015-16 marked the first ever awarding of the Undo's Unsung Hero Award. That honor went to rookie defenseman Danny Fick. Fick has appeared in 52 games, totaling three goals, four assists, and seven points, while displaying a work ethic that originally helped him earn a spot on the team.
The final award given out was the Wheeling Nailers Booster Club - Randy Stephens Jr. Fan of the Year Award. Jim Hench was the recipient for all of the tireless work he put in, helping the organization on game nights, in the community, and with odd jobs that needed to get done. The highlight of Hench's season was a 2,600-mile journey with the team's gear to and from Florida in November.
Following the awards, Nailers Head Coach David Gove and Nailers Captain Shane Bakker stepped to the podium, thanking the sponsors, fans, and players for a fun and successful 2015-16 season.
The last part of the program was the announcement of the team's playoff slogan - Nail it Down. An intro video first revealed the slogan, which was followed by Radio Broadcaster DJ Abisalih's demonstration of how the Nailers would "Nail it Down" after each victory going forward. Fans were encouraged to use the hashtag #NailItDown during upcoming games and into the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
The Nailers will play their regular season home finale on Friday night at 7:35, which is Main Street Bank Fan Appreciation Night. One lucky fan will get the chance to shoot to win a car from Whiteside, plus it's a Flat Screen Friday Presented by the Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, a Frosty Friday, and Blades for Grades.
2015-16 Award Winners
OVMC/EORH Leading Scorer - Riley Brace
McDonald's Community Award - Mathew Maione
Carenbauer Distribution Plus/Minus - Clark Seymour
Wine and Beverage Merchants of West Virginia Defensive MVP - Paul Cianfrini
WesBanco Offensive MVP - Jarrett Burton
WesBanco Rookie of the Year - Cody Wydo
Riesbeck's Food Markets Fan Choice Player of the Year Award - Brett Stern
Project Best Player's Player Award - Brett Stern
Undo's Unsung Hero Award - Danny Fick
Wheeling Nailers Booster Club - Randy Stephens Fan of the Year Award - Jim Hench
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