Paul Crowder Named Nailers Captain
Published on October 14, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
The Wheeling Nailers, the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, are proud to announce the 2011-12 team captains. Paul Crowder will wear the "C" as the team's captain, while Peter Merth will wear the "A" as the alternate captain. A second alternate captain letter will rotate among other team leaders.
Crowder enters his forth season of professional hockey as the team's oldest player at 26 years old. The Victoria, BC native played three seasons at the University of Alaska- Anchorage from 2006-09. During his final season with the UAA Seawolves, Paul served as one of the club's alternate captains. After finishing his collegiate career, Crowder joined the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, where he played in eleven games to conclude the 2008-09 campaign. He then returned with the Wolf Pack for then entire following season, appearing in 79 of the team's 80 games. Last season, the 6-foot-3 forward started the season playing for the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, until being acquired by the Nailers (along with his brother Tim) right before the League's trade deadline. Splitting time between the Nailers and Utah Grizzlies, Crowder scored 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points in just 36 regular season games. Crowder would then go on to be the Nailers top scorer in the playoffs, leading the Nailers to the Eastern Conference Finals. During the Kelly Cup Playoffs, Crowder picked up 15 points in 17 postseason matches.
"It's a good opportunity to lead the team to a good year," said Crowder. "It brings a fresh look to the season," he said.
Merth, 24, enters his second season of professional hockey. Peter played in team high 69 (of 72) regular season games last season, and battled through injuries to play an important role in helping the team to the Conference Finals. Prior to turning pro, Merth spent four seasons at RPI from 2006-10. During his final two seasons with the RPI Red Hawks, Peter served as an alternate captain for the team.
"Paul and Peter are both quality human beings that the players look to as strong leaders," said head coach Stan Drulia. "We were impressed with both players last season, and are proud to give them this honor," he said.
Crowder and Merth will help to lead the 2011-12 Nailers onto the ice on tonight, as they open the season on the road against the Greenville Road Warriors. The match up features a rematch of last season's Conference Semi Finals, when the Nailers knocked off top seeded Greenville in OT of Game 7 to win the series, 4 games to 3.
The Nailers kick off the 20th Season of Pro Hockey in Wheeling at home on October 22nd, when the Elmira Jackals visit WesBanco Arena. The Nailers will wear a special jersey to commemorate the special night. For more information, please contact the Nailers office at 304-234-GOAL or online at wheelingnailers.com.
ECHL Stories from October 14, 2011
- Nailers Open Season in Style - Wheeling Nailers
- Titans Run into Jackals Buzzsaw in Opener - Trenton Titans
- Stingrays Give Carbery First Victory with Overtime Win Over Royals - South Carolina Stingrays
- Road Warriors Tripped Up In Opener - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Glads Drop Opener 3-2 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Paul Crowder Named Nailers Captain - Wheeling Nailers
- Reign Announce Opening Day Roster - Ontario Reign
- Goaltender Mark Owuya Assigned by Toronto to Reading - Reading Royals
- Nailers Announce Opening Night Roster - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - October 14 - ECHL
- Jackals Receive Caporusso from B-Sens - Elmira Jackals
- Game Preview: Stockton Thunder Vs. Colorado Eagles - Stockton Thunder
- Stingrays Unveil 2011-12 Military Jerseys - South Carolina Stingrays
- Jackals Season-Opener Preview: Trenton at Elmira - Elmira Jackals
- Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview - October 14, 2011 - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- ECHL Today - October 14 - ECHL
- Stingrays Gameday: Stingrays Induct Nate Kiser into Hall of Fame and Open 19th Season Tonight - South Carolina Stingrays
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
