ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers re-sign Ben Blais

August 18, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling W.V. – The Wheeling Nailers announce today that they have re-signed from last year's record setting team defenseman/forward Ben Blais. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Blais, 26, re-joins the Nailers for his third professional season after splitting time between the Nailers and their AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre last year.

He played 63 games for the Nailers last season recording 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points, with 91 penalty minutes. Blais was a staple on the Nailers blue line and forechecking the opposing defenseman all season, which earned him two call-ups to the AHL, where he appeared in 4 games recording 2 assists and 2 penalty minutes.

"Ben is great team player, he stepped in where we needed him to last season, he played forward and defense and can do both very effectively," said Nailers Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Pat Bingham.

When Ben was asked about why he chose to return to Wheeling for another season, he had this to say. "The town, it really feels like a family, I've never been to a place when you walk in for the first time and everyone is so friendly."

The 6'4 195 pound native of Clifton Park, NY has played for Head Coach Pat Bingham for two seasons now, once with Adirondack of the UHL and last season in Wheeling.

The Nailers 2004-2005 season starts on October 22 in Toledo and the home opener will be on October 30 against the Storm, check www.wheelingnailers.com for other game dates. Season tickets and mini plans are now on sale, starting at only $60 for mini plans and $261 for season tickets. Don't miss your chance to see the Nailers build on last year's historic season. For more information call the Nailers office at 1-877-NAIL-TIX or (304)234-GOAL.

NAILERS ANNOUNCE CHARITY GOLF SCRAMBLE

Tuesday August 17th 2004

Wheeling Nailers Press Release

Wheeling W.V. – The Wheeling Nailers announced today that they will host the 2nd annual charity golf scramble to benefit the Golden Spike Association Tickets for Kids on Wednesday, September 29, 2004.

The event will take place at the Arnold Palmer Golf Course at the Speidel Golf Club in Oglebay.

Founded in 2000, the Golden Spike Association Tickets for Kids, through the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, provides free tickets to Wheeling Nailers games for organizations like Big Brother/Big Sisters, St. Michael's Parish School, Youth Services of Ohio County, and Belmont County Educational Services.

McCann Distributing, I.C. Light, UNDO's, Clear Channel Communications and Whiteside are the title sponsors for this event. Whiteside will provide a brand new vehicle to the lucky individual that makes a hole-in-one on a designated par 3 on the Palmer designed course. The day will be capped off with a delicious dinner courtesy of UNDO's Catering. Also, every participant will receive a Koozie 6-pack cooler compliments of I.C. Light and McCann Distributing.

The Cost of the four-man scramble is $85.00 per person or $340.00 per team. The price includes 18 holes +cart, favors, snacks, beverages, and a dinner.

Tee/Green sponsorships are available for $100.00 per hole. Interested businesses can sponsor a foursome and Tee/Green for $400.00. To register for the golf scramble or for more information, call the Wheeling Nailers office at 304-234-4625 or 1-877-NAIL-TIX.

The Nailers 2004-2005 season starts on October 22 in Toledo and the home opener will be on October 30 against the Storm, check www.wheelingnailers.com for other game dates. Season tickets and mini plans are now on sale, starting at only $60 for mini plans and $261 for season tickets. Don't miss your chance to see the Nailers build on last year's historic season. For more information call the Nailers office at 1-877-NAIL-TIX or (304)234-GOAL.

NAILERS REVISED 2004-05 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Nailers to make West Coast Trip

Wheeling Nailers Press Release

Wheeling W.V. – The Wheeling Nailers today have released a revised playing schedule for the 2004-05 season. The revision was necessitated following the termination of memberships in Greensboro and Roanoke by the ECHL Board of Governors.

The Nailers will begin their quest for the Kelly Cup with their season opener on October 22nd in Toledo. They will play two more games before returning home for their home-opener against Toledo on Saturday October 30th.

The new look schedule gives fans a chance to see teams from the west coast, such as Fresno and San Diego. There is also a west coast trip where the Nailers will play in Alaska and down through California.

The Nailers have all the games in place, game times will be released at a later date.

Season tickets and mini plans are now on sale, starting at only $60 for mini plans and $261 for season tickets. Don't miss your chance to see the Nailers build on last year's historic season. For more information call the Nailers office at 1-877-NAIL-TIX or (304)234-GOAL.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from August 18, 2004


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