Nailers Re-Sign Shane Bakker
September 15, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling Nailers Forward Shane Bakker
(Wheeling Nailers)
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce their tenth player signing of the 2015 offseason. Wheeling has re-signed forward Shane Bakker to an ECHL contract.
Bakker, 27, enters his third season of professional hockey, after spending the majority of the previous two campaigns with the Nailers. Wheeling first acquired Shane by claiming him off of waivers on December 3, 2013, which led to his professional debut three days later. During his two seasons in the Ohio Valley, the Navan, Ontario native has appeared in 92 games, tallying ten goals, 21 assists, 31 points, and 178 penalty minutes, while also earning the opportunity to suit up in 15 AHL games with the Hamilton Bulldogs. In 2014-15, Bakker received two other accolades, as he was named team captain at the start of the season, and the McDonald's Community Award winner at season's end.
"We are very happy to have our captain, Shane Bakker, back for another season," said Nailers Head Coach Clark Donatelli. "He is a great character guy, who is a leader on and off of the ice, and was a very deserving winner of our team's community service award last season. He fits our system well, because he is a tough, two-way player, and is hard to play against."
Prior to making the jump to the pro game, Shane attended Carleton University for five years, where he recorded 17 goals, 31 assists, 48 points, and 398 penalty minutes in 121 games with the Ravens. Bakker also played junior hockey with the CJHL's Orleans Blues and Nepean Raiders in parts of three seasons, in addition to one game with the QMJHL's Gatineau Olympiques.
"The Wheeling community has become a second home for me, and with the core group of players already signed, I am excited to go back for another season, playing for Clark Donatelli," Bakker said. "I want to continue to build on my experience of being the team's captain last season, while also taking care of some unfinished business, by bringing home the Kelly Cup."
Shane Bakker and his Wheeling teammates will begin the regular season with two games in Norfolk on October 16th and 17th. The Nailers will then play their home opener at WesBanco Arena on October 24th against Brampton at 7:35.
Wheeling Nailers 2015-16 season tickets and mini plans are on sale now. For more information, call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com.
Images from this story
 Wheeling Nailers Forward Shane Bakker |
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