ECHL Wheeling Nailers

New Year, New Coach for Nailers

Published on January 2, 2008 under 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 Greg Puhalski has been named the new head coach of the Wheeling Nailers. He becomes the 10th head coach in Wheeling Nailers history, 19th overall in team history, replacing Glenn Patrick who will remain with the organization as a scout.

"We are very excited to announce Greg as our new head coach today," said Nailers President Jim Brooks. "We have done a considerable amount of due diligence on this very important decision, and feel that Greg's experience, history of winning and leadership will get our team back to where it needs to be."

"Obviously we were faced with a tough decision in relieving Glenn of his coaching duties. He has played a vital role with our organization for 3 years, and we are glad to still have him as part of the organization."

In 13 years as a professional head coach, Puhalski has compiled a record of 556-308-24 (.626 inning percentage) with stops in Toledo, Port Huron, Fort Wayne and Chicago. He most recently served as the head coach for the Chicago Hounds of the United Hockey League during the 2006-07 season. Following the season, he was selected the UHL Coach of the Year for the second time in his career after leading a group of primarily rookies to a 31-38-7 record and a Colonial Cup Playoff berth.

This will be Puhalski's second coaching assignment in the ECHL after he began his coaching career with the Toledo Storm. The former standout forward served as a player-assistant during his final season as a player (93-94) when he registered 90 points (22g, 68a) in 49 games for the Storm. He left the ice to take over as head coach the following season where he remained until the completion of the 1997-98 season. During his reign as head coach, the Storm had a record of 162-85-13 and made the playoffs each of his four seasons.

As a player, the native of Fort William, ON, was selected by the Boston Bruins in the third round (#62 overall) of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He spent three successful seasons with the Toledo Storm after playing four years at Wilfrid Laurier University (CIAU). With Toledo he accumulated 247 points (70g, 177a) in 123 games and led the team in scoring during his final year as a pro. He won back-to-back championships with the Storm (92-93, 93-94) including scoring the overtime game winner against Wheeling in game six of the 1993 Riley Cup Championship

After Toledo, Puhalski moved to the UHL to lead the Port Huron Border Cats for two seasons before taking over as head coach of the Fort Wayne Komets. In his six seasons with the Fort Wayne, he led the Komets to the finals twice, captured the Colonial Cup in 2002-03 and was named UHL coach of the year the same year.

Puhalski, who celebrated his 43rd birthday on Tuesday, has coached the most games (680) and has the most coaching wins (390) in the history of the UHL.

He will be behind the bench for the Nailers as they take the Johnstown Chiefs Friday at 7:35pm. It is Casino Night and fans can receive $2 off the admission price by showing their Wheeling Island Players Club Card. Call 304-234-GOAL or visit www.wheelingnailers.com for ticketing information.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics

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