Nailers Opening Night Roster Set
Published on October 14, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - Opening night is drawing closer and head coach Greg Puhalski has put together an exciting team for the 18th season of professional hockey in Wheeling. Here's a breakdown of the opening night roster for the proud AA affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins, the Wheeling Nailers.
Leading the way are returning Nailers Aaron Clarke, Mitch Ganzak, Andrew Lord and this year's captain, Cliff Loya.
Some newcomers to tell you about include:
Jordan Parise - brings a wealth of experience between the pipes including two yrs with Lowell (AHL)
Thomas Harrison - led the ECHL in major penalties with the Trenton Devils in 2007-08.
Thomas Beauregard - 31 gls with Cincinnati, 07-08. Led Quebec Juniors Lg with 71 goals in 06-07.
Jordan Fox - led the Gwinnett Gladiators with 29 goals last year.
Blair Yaworski - 18 goals with Johnstown last year and some impressive games against Wheeling.
Casey Pierro-Zabotel - 20 years old. 3rd round pick of Pens in 2007. Led Western League in 2009 with 115 points.
Alex Grant - 4th round pick of Penguins in 2007.
And that's just for starters.
The Nailers open the season this weekend beginning with a game at South Carolina this Friday at 7:05 followed by Saturday and Sunday games at Gwinnett at 7:05 and 4:05. The Nailers home opening weekend is October 23rd and 25th. Wheeling will host the Cincinnati Cyclones on Friday, October 23rd at 7:35 and then take on the Elmira Jackals on Sunday, October 25th at 6:35.
Here's a look at the full opening night roster. Skaters
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt.
Shoot Birthplace Birthdate 2008-09 Team(s)
2 LOYA, Cliff D 6-2 190 - Pittsburgh, PA 05/08/1981 Wheeling (ECHL), Portland (AHL)
3 SHARROW, Jim D 6-2 198 R Framingham, MA 01/31/1985 Rockford (AHL), Manitoba (AHL)
4 HENNINGSON, Dan D 6-1 190 L Edmonton, Alb. 01/10/1984 Quinnipiac (NCAA), Lake Erie (AHL)
7 CLARKE, Aaron F 5-9 185 L Peterborough, Ont. 10/07/1982 Wheeling (ECHL), Binghamton (AHL),
Providence (AHL), Albany (AHL)
8 GRANT, Alex D 6-1 190 R Antigonish, NS 01/20/1989 Shawinigan (QMJHL)
10 SCHMIDT, Kevin D 6-1 176 L Markham, Ont. 02/14/1986 Bowling Green (NCAA)
11 CLOUD, Chris F 5-11 186 L Waywayseecappo, Man. 10/22/1988 Seattle (WHL)
12 SCHNELL, Ryan F 6-3 225 Cary, IL 01/13/1989 Saginaw (OHL), Chicago (USHL)
13 FOX, T.J. F 6-1 197 L Oswego, NY 06/11/1984 Worcester (AHL)
14 YAWORSKI, Blair F 6-2 195 L Calgary, Alb. 09/20/1985 Syracuse (AHL), Johnstown (ECHL)
15 HADDAD, Joey F 6-2 200 L Sydney, NS 12/10/1988 Cape Breton (QMJHL)
16 PIERRO-ZABOTEL, Casey 6-2 202 L Ashcroft, BC 11/18/1988 Vancouver (WHL)
17 LORD, Andrew F 6-3 200 R West Vancouver, BC 02/22/1985 Wheeling (ECHL)
18 KALINCHUK, Scott D 6-1 195 L Bozeman, Man. 11/23/1984 Alabama-Huntsville (NCAA),
Wheeling (ECHL)
19 COUTURIER, Corey F 6-0 181 R Traverse City, MI 02/02/1985 Ferris State University (NCAA)
23 GANZAK, Mitch D 5-11 200 L Redford, MI 05/24/1984 Wheeling (ECHL), Albany (AHL), Norfolk
24 HARRISON, Thomas F 6-2 220 R Thunder Bay, Ont. 03/11/1984 Trenton (ECHL), Lowell (AHL)
26 FOX, Jordan F 5-10 195 - Kirkwood, MO 07/10/1984 Gwinnett (ECHL), Manitoba (AHL),
Chicago (AHL)
27 TOMKO, Slavomir D 6-0 200 L Zvolen, Slovakia 03/28/1983 Elmira (ECHL)
28 BEAUREGARD, Thomas F 5-11 185 R Montreal, Que.
02/09/1986 Cincinnati (ECHL), Hamilton (AHL)
Goaltenders
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt.
Catch Birthplace Birthdate 2008-09 Team(s)
1 PARISE, Jordan G 5-11 190 L Faribault, MN 09/19/1982 Salzburg EC (Aust)
30 ALFORD, Jordan G 6-2 180 R Red Deer, Alb. 02/06/1985 Wheeling (ECHL), Elmira (ECHL)
ECHL Stories from October 14, 2009
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- ECHL Season Begins Thursday - ECHL
- Jackals Block Party Welcomes In 2009-2010 Season - Elmira Jackals
- Chiefs Announce Radio Broadcast Schedule - Johnstown Chiefs
- Idaho Releases Opening-Night Roster - Idaho Steelheads
- Gladiators Add Netminder, Release Two From Training - Atlanta Gladiators
- Grizzlies Announce Broadcast Schedule - Utah Grizzlies
- K-Wings Announce Captains - Kalamazoo Wings
- Chiefs And Boulevard Grill To Celebrate Start Of Season - Johnstown Chiefs
- Goaltender Taylor Called up to AHL Syracuse - Atlanta Gladiators
- Stingrays Receive Goaltender Holtby - South Carolina Stingrays
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