ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Welcome New Players

March 26, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Nailers fans probably noticed a few new names and faces on the ice last weekend at WesBanco Arena. Head Coach Greg Puhalski is bolstering his team' s lineup as they gun for the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Wheeling Nailers are making their push for the 2009 Kelly Cup playoffs and with just 6 games remaining the Nailers are tied for 3rd place in the North Division with two other teams in an exciting battle that seems fated to go down to the wire. The top 4 teams out of the 5 way jam at the top will advance to the post-season. These new additions to the Nailers lineup could provide the necessary assistance for the team to achieve their goal.

The newest Nailer signee who is expected to make his debut this weekend at Elmira is forward Chase Watson. The Providence College product is adding playoff experience to the Nailers roster having been there before with the Augusta Lynx two seasons ago. He scored 14 goals and 16 assists in his debut season and then played 16 games with Augusta in 2008-09 with 8 assists when the team disbanded. The 26 year-old native of Media, Pennsylvania tended to an injury after his team disbanded but is now ready to return to action as a member of the Wheeling Nailers.

Other new Nailers who debuted last weekend included #16 Tomas Klempa, #22 Chris Margott and #24 Scott Kalinchuk. All three just completed their collegiate careers at various programs and were grabbed by the Nailers shortly after their teams were eliminated in their post-season tournaments.

Klempa is a native of Slovakia who was playing at Nebraska-Omaha in the CCHA. The speedy 5'8" forward scored a season high 14 goals in 40 games for the Mavericks this year. Klempa made his Nailers debut last Friday.

Margott is coming off a terrific career at nearby Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh where he set the program's all-time scoring record with 136 career points. He is a Thousand Oaks, Cal. native who had a career high 21 goals and 44 points in his recently completely senior season over 36 games. Margott suited up for the Nailers for the first time last Saturday.

Kalinchuk will add size and grittiness to the blue-line. The University of Alabama-Huntsville product is originally from Bozeman, Manitoba. His Nailer debut came this past Friday.

Margott and Kalinchuk know each other all too well from their various battles against each other in the College Hockey American conference.

Post-season playoff packages are available now. Purchase your 6-game playoff package that is good for the entire post-season. You get a discount vs. the gate price and any unused playoff credits are forwarded to the following season.

Season tickets are on sale now for the 2009-10 campaign. Reserve your season ticket for as low as $50. There are some great incentives to reserve your season ticket ahead of time. If you pay for your season ticket in full by May 1 the Nailers will give you free parking in the back lot for the season. Those who deposit $100 by May 1 will have the $18 arena fee waived.

The Nailers last home games of the regular season are on Wednesday, April 1st and Friday, April 3rd.

The Wednesday game against the Trenton Devils at 7:05 is the last WesBanco Wednesday of the year. Get 2-for-1 tickets when you show your WesBanco checkbook or debit card or coupon available at participating WesBanco locations. Also get $1 drink specials through the first intermission. The first 1000 kids age 14 and under will receive a special giveaway courtesy of the Nailers Spring Cleaning promotion. Sidney Crosby mini-sticks, Nailers Youth Backpacks and Moondog Bobbleheads will be among the random giveaway items. Wednesday is also biker night with $10 parking and admission packages available.

Friday, April 3rd the Nailers take on the Dayton Bombers at 7:35 on Fan Appreciation Night. The Nailers will give away special prizes to several fans in attendance and one lucky fan will win the chance to shoot for a new car courtesy of Doan Ford. It's also Little League night. All Little Leagues can get a special $10 Nailers and Wild Things combo ticket. And one lucky Little League organization will win $500 for their program for uniforms and equipment. It's also a Friday Family Four-Pack night. Get 4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hotdogs and a large popcorn all for just $44.

For more information contact the Nailers at 304-234-GOAL (that's 234-4625) or log on at wheelingnailers.com.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 26, 2009


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