ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Receive Four More from AHL

October 16, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the "AA" affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers, announced today that the Penguins have assigned forward Mark Letestu from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Flyers have assigned forwards David Laliberte and Gino Pisellini along with defenseman Mike Vannelli from the Philadelphia Phantoms.

Wheeling is now carrying 12 players under contract by either AHL or NHL clubs.

Letestu, 22, did not appear in a regular season game for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before being assigned to Wheeling. The 5-11, 195 pound center signed an NHL entry level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 22, 2007. He made his professional debut last season while playing in three games during the 2006-07 regular season, and appeared in two Calder Cup Playoff games for the Baby Penguins.

The native of Elk Point, Alberta, played just one season at Western Michigan University and led the Broncos with 24 goals, five shorthanded goals and 46 points last season. He also ranked tied for first on the team with seven power play goals and three game-winning goals. He placed tied for sixth among all NCAA skaters in goals and tied for 14th in points, while his five shorthanded tallies led the entire nation. Letestu led all freshmen scorers across the NCAA in points, and was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year.

Letestu played four seasons with the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Albert Junior Hockey League, leading league in scoring with 105 points (50+55) in 58 games during the 2005-06 season. That performance led him to be named the AJHL Most Valuable Player.

Laliberte, 21, skated in one game this season with the Phantoms before being assigned to the Nailers. He enters his rookie campaign after five seasons playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Prince Edward Island Rocket. Selected by the Flyers in the fourth round (124th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-foot-1-inch, 198 pound winger recorded 50 goals and 48 assists for 98 points and 86 penalty minutes in 68 regular season games last season. The 50 goals and 98 points led the Rocket and placed him fifth in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in goals and tied for 11th in the QMJHL in points. He also led the Rocket in power play goals (24), game-winning goals (7) and shots (298). His 50 goals and 98 points set new team records for most goals in a season and most points in a season.

In five seasons with the Rocket (2002-03 through 2006-07), Laliberte registered 121 goals and 108 assists for 229 points and 224 penalty minutes in 279 regular season games.

Pisellini, 21, was a member of the Nailers opposition last season as a member of the Trenton Titans. In his rookie season, he split time between the Phantoms (32 games) and the Titans (23 games) accumulating a total of two goals, four assists and 118 penalty minutes in 55 games. Selected by the Flyers in the fifth round (149th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-0, 210 pound winger recorded 545 penalty minutes in 190 games while playing junior hockey for Plymouth of the OHL.

Vannelli, 24, will begin his professional career with the Nailers after having completed a four-year career at the University of Minnesota. Drafted in the fourth round (136th overall) by Atlanta in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Vannelli served as the team captain for the Gophers during the 2006-07 season. He played in 44 games during his senior season, posting career highs in goals (10), assists (29) and points (39) while helping lead Minnesota to the WCHA championship and was named to the WCHA All-Tournament Team.

In order to make room for the additions, Brendan Cook and Garett Winder were released from the team.

The Nailers will open the ECHL's 20th Anniversary season with a game against the Johnstown Chiefs on Oct. 18th. It will be a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals. Wheeling will open their home schedule on Oct. 26 against the South Carolina Stingrays.

For ticketing information call the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL (toll free at 877-NAIL-TIX) or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 16, 2007


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