Nailers Sign a Pair of Defensemen
August 27, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the proud ECHL affiliate of the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins and the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, are shoring up their blue-line as they announced the signings of a pair of defenseman, Jon Ralph and Kevin Seibel.
The Nailers have now announced the signings of 12 players for the upcoming 2009-2010 campaign including 7 returning players.
Jon Ralph joined the Nailers last year in late February in his rookie season of professional hockey appearing in 9 games total including 4 in the playoffs. Ralph will maintain his rookie status for 2009-2010 having appeared in fewer than 25 games.
Ralph is a native of Johannesburg, South Africa but grew up in Chester, NJ.
"Ralphie has all the raw ability to be a solid performer for us. If he continues to improve he will be a great contributor for us."Said Greg Puhalski.
Coming out of Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the 24 year old Ralph was hungry to continue his hockey career in the professional ranks and signed with the Nailers. Before his two years with the Pointers Ralph also played a couple seasons at D-I Bowling Green.
The 6'0" tall 187 pounder played three seasons in the juniors level USHL with Sioux City, Chicago and Green Bay. With the Green Bay Gamblers Ralph was teammates with Mitch Ganzak. He also played on the well known Shattuck St. Mary's High School team in Minnesota where he was first team all-state in 2001-02.
Kevin Seibel is a 26 year old native of Swift Current, SASK with a total of 9 years of major-juniors, college and professional hockey in his background.
Last year was the first in professional hockey for the 6'1" tall 185 pounder as he split time between Appiano in the Italian League and Tulsa of the Central Hockey League where was teammates with Sean Collins.
"Kevin comes reccomended to us from Sean Collins having played together last year. He is a puck moving defenceman who can add offence while maintaining his defensive responsibilities."Said Greg Puhalski.
Seibel earned a WHL scholarship to play at the University of British Columbia for four years and prior to that played four full seasons of major juniors in the Western Hockey League with the Vancouver Giants and Swift Current Broncos.
Today's announcement brings the total number of official signings for the Wheeling Nailers to 12 including 7 returning players.
This year's signed players include:
F - Aaron Clarke
F - Chris Cloud
F - Sean Collins
F - Tomas Klempa
F - Andrew Lord
D - Cliff Loya
F - Anthony Perdicaro
D - Jon Ralph
F - Mark Roebothan
D - Nathan Schwartzbauer
D - Kevin Seibel
F - Chase Watson
Family Day presented by WesBanco Bank is coming October 7th at WesBanco Arena. It's your first chance to check out the Nailers as the Johnstown Chiefs come to town for a 7:05 face-off. Get a family 4-pack including 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 sodas for only $36.
The Wheeling Nailers officially open the 2009-2010 campaign on October 16th at the South Carolina Stingrays. The home opener for the 18th season of professional hockey in the Friendly City is October 23rd when the Nailers host the Cincinnati Cyclones.
Season tickets are on sale now for all 36 exciting Nailers home games at WesBanco Arena. Great season ticket plans are available for every budget. Also take advantage of the Nailers new $87 package for 7 Nailers home games. Call the Wheeling Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL, that's 234-4625. Or log on to wheelingnailers.com for more information.
ECHL Stories from August 27, 2009
- Free Agent Tryout Camp Scheduled for October 2-3 - Stockton Thunder
- Ben Laing Named New Head Equipment Manager - Stockton Thunder
- Condors Add Championship D-man Pokulok and Rookie Scorer Peralta - Bakersfield Condors
- Kalamazoo Adds Two More - Kalamazoo Wings
- NHL Hires ECHL Referee Charron - ECHL
- Grizzlies Announce Preseason Games - Utah Grizzlies
- Salmon Kings Sign Mike Burgoyne - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Nailers Sign a Pair of Defensemen - Wheeling Nailers
- Salmon Kings Sign D-Man Waddell - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Everblades Hire Aldridge as Equipment Manager - Florida Everblades
- Chiefs Add Speed with Felde - Johnstown Chiefs
- ECHL Promotes Crelin To Director Of Business Operations - ECHL
- Cyclones Agree To Terms With Hans Benson - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Toledo Walleye Reel In Their First Player - Toledo Walleye
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