Nailers Renew Player Affiliation with Montreal Canadiens
Published on August 5, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
The Wheeling Nailers are proud to announce that they have extended their affiliation agreement with the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) and Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) for the 2011-12 season.
This will be Wheeling's second consecutive season as the ECHL affiliate for Montreal. The Nailers will also continue as the affiliate for the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) for a 12th season.
"Working together with the Canadiens has been a pleasure," said Nailers President Jim Brooks. "They have a great eye for talent and we look forward to helping their young stars progress and succeed."
Some of the young Canadiens talent who had an opportunity to thrive with the Nailers in 2010-11 included goalie Peter Delmas (15-6-2, 2.03, .928) who helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals along with skaters David Urquhart, Dany Masse and Hunter Bishop.
"We are grateful to the Nailers for providing our prospects with a strong and competitive environment," said Canadiens' General Manager Pierre Gauthier.
From 1989-90 through 1997-98, the Canadiens were affiliated for nine seasons with the Winston-Salem / Wheeling Thunderbirds and Wheeling Nailers. During that affiliation, the Thunderbirds appeared in the Riley Cup Finals three times (1989, 1990, 1993) winning one championship (1989) and won three Henry Brabham Cup titles for most points in the ECHL (1990, 1993, 1995).
The Montreal Canadiens will begin their 103rd season in the fall.
Their 24 Stanley Cups are the most of any team. The Canadiens are the longest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in the world and one of the oldest sports teams in all of North America.
The Nailers' AHL parent club, the Hamilton Bulldogs, had another tremendous season. In Hamilton's 15th anniversary season, the Bulldogs were 44-27-9 finishing with the North Division's best record for the second consecutive season.
Ticket packages for the 2011-2012 season of Wheeling Nailers hockey are on sale now and include the same great benefits that Nailers fans have become accustomed to receiving. For more information, please contact the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL or toll-free at 1-877-NAIL-TIX or visit the team's website at wheelingnailers.com. Be A Part Of History!
ECHL Stories from August 5, 2011
- Right Winger Helfrich Returns To Everblades - Florida Everblades
- The Captain Returns for 2011-12 Season - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers Renew Player Affiliation with Montreal Canadiens - Wheeling Nailers
- Former NHL Star Laurie Boschman Guests on Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
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