Nailers Sign Matt Tabrum
August 17, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce their sixth player signing of the 2015 offseason. Wheeling has signed forward Matt Tabrum to an ECHL contract.
Tabrum, 24, will make the leap from the college game to the pro game this fall, after spending the last four years attending the University of Denver, where he majored in Marketing, while suiting up with the Pioneers. Matt served as a very reliable player in Denver, as he appeared in 151 of 164 games, including a streak of 111 consecutive contests, which stretched over the course of all four seasons. Overall, he collected 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points, and 125 penalty minutes, with his most productive season coming as a sophomore in 2012-13, when he had 7-8-15 totals. Tabrum and the Pioneers won the National Collegiate Hockey Conference in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
"Matt is a hard-nosed player, who is very durable, and brings a great work ethic to the rink every day," said Nailers Head Coach Clark Donatelli. "He is a two-way forward, who will fit into our system well."
Prior to playing collegiately, the Colorado Springs, Colorado native spent parts of two seasons in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede and Omaha Lancers, recording 12 goals, eight assists, 20 points, and 30 penalty minutes in 59 games. Some of Tabrum's teammates at the University of Denver were 2014-15 Wheeling Nailer David Makowski (2011-14), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Ty Loney (2011-15), and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Beau Bennett (2011-12).
"I have talked to a few people who played for the Nailers organization and Clark Donatelli, and they had nothing but nice things to say, which made me excited to come to Wheeling," Tabrum said. "I see myself as a high energy guy, who will go out and bang bodies, while playing with some skill as well. While pro hockey is much different than college, I believe that I have a diverse enough game that it should transfer, as I take the next step up."
Matt Tabrum and his new Nailers teammates will drop the puck on the 2015-16 regular season in Norfolk on October 16th and 17th, before taking the ice 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.
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- Nailers Sign Matt Tabrum - Wheeling Nailers
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