ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Pennsylvania Native Zollars Returns to Nailers

August 21, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, are pleased to announce their ninth player signing of the 2013 offseason. Wheeling has signed defenseman Gentry Zollars to an ECHL contract.

"Gentry is a solid defenseman, who has tremendous attention to detail, and played our system well, when came in and played for us last season," said Head Coach Clark Donatelli. "He has an extremely high compete level, comes to the rink every day looking to improve his game, and is a pleasure to coach."

Zollars, 27, joined the Nailers on January 26th of this past season, and went on to appear in 22 games with Wheeling. During that time, Gentry tallied one goal, one assist, and 26 penalty minutes, netting his first career ECHL goal in the season finale on March 30th against the Trenton Titans. Prior to his arrival in the Ohio Valley, the blueliner also suited up in five games with the Titans, four games with the Orlando Solar Bears, and 23 games with the FHL's Danbury Whalers. While in Danbury, Zollars produced nearly one point per game, as he racked up 18 assists and 22 points in those 23 tilts.

"I liked playing for Clark Donatelli, because he gave me an opportunity to play big minutes last season," said Zollars. "I felt like I proved myself and I got my feet wet, so I will be looking to build off of last year, while helping the team win."

This coming year will be the Bethel Park, PA native's fourth, since completing a two-year collegiate career at UMass-Boston, where he majored in Journalism. After finishing school, Gentry spent the majority of the 2010-11 season in the SPHL with the Louisiana IceGators and Huntsville Havoc, while also mixing in one game with the FHL's New York Aviators. He then spent the entire 2011-12 campaign in New Jersey, dressing in 13 games with the Titans and 30 games with the New Jersey Outlaws.

"Seeing how I've played with a few different teams over the years, this will be a good change, as it gives me a feeling of security," Zollars said. "I know Clark and his systems, and the foundation is already set, so it will be nice not having to learn new systems or a new coach's tendencies."

The puck drops on the 2013-14 regular season for the Wheeling Nailers on Friday, October 18th at 7:00 against the Elmira Jackals.

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