Two Nailers Named to 2015-16 All-ECHL Teams
April 7, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce that two of their players have earned league recognition for their performances during the 2015-16 season. Defenseman Mathew Maione was selected as a member of the All-ECHL First Team, while forward Riley Brace was chosen as a member of the All-ECHL Second Team.
Maione, 25, was acquired by the Nailers on December 2nd in a trade with the Brampton Beast. Prior to the deal, Mathew had accumulated ten points in 17 games. His scoring touch continued when he arrived in Wheeling, as he collected six points in his first six games with his new club, including a key goal to open a game at Quad City on December 18th. Maione's point totals have been very consistent in a Nailers uniform, as he amassed ten in December, and nine each in January, February, and March. In total, the Toronto, Ontario native has registered five goals, 36 assists, and 41 points with Wheeling, giving him season numbers of nine goals, 42 assists, and 51 points. The 42 assists and 51 points are both tops among ECHL blueliners. One of the biggest goals of the season for the second-year defenseman came in overtime against the Cincinnati Cyclones on March 17th.
Brace, 24, is completing his second season with Wheeling, and once again finds himself at the top of the chart with 63 points in 54 games. Riley is the leading scorer for the second consecutive year for the Nailers, and he wasted little time getting going, as he dished out an assist in the team's first game of the season on October 18th at Norfolk. After producing five points in October, the Ottawa, Ontario native stepped his game up even more in November, racking up 14 points, including a four-point night on the 13th against Reading, which was part of a seven-point week. Although he missed some time due to games in the American Hockey League, Brace went on an impressive tear from mid-December through mid-March, appearing on the scoresheet in 18 of 22 games with 36 points during that stretch. Thus far this season, Riley has 26 goals, 33 assists, and 59 points, running his career totals with Wheeling to 44 goals, 86 assists, and 130 points.
Joining Maione on the All-ECHL First Team are Missouri goaltender Josh Robinson, Colorado defenseman Adrian Veideman, Toledo forward Shane Berschbach, Allen forward Chad Costello, and Colorado forward Trent Daavettila. Joining Brace on the All-ECHL Second team are Toledo goaltender Jeff Lerg, Reading defenseman Adam Comrie, Alaska defenseman William Wrenn, Missouri forward Jesse Root, and Fort Wayne forward Shawn Szydlowski.
Mathew Maione becomes the sixth player in team history to be named to the All-ECHL First Team, joining Francis Ouellette (1992-93), Darren Schwartz (1992-93 & 1993-94), Vadim Slivchenko (1994-95), Ray DiLauro (2004-05), and Bryan Ewing (2008-09). Riley Brace becomes the eighth player in team history to be named to the All-ECHL Second Team, joining Devin Edgerton (1992-93), Tim Roberts (1994-95), Keli Corpse (1995-96), Jason Jaffray (2003-04), Mitch Ganzak (2009-10), Andrew Hotham (2011-12), and Mike Ratchuk (2013-14). This is the first time since 1994-95 that Wheeling has multiple representatives on the All-ECHL First and Second Teams.
The Nailers will play their regular season home finale on Friday night at 7:35, which is Main Street Bank Fan Appreciation Night. One lucky fan will get the chance to shoot to win a car from Whiteside, plus it's a Flat Screen Friday Presented by the Highlands and Bordas & Bordas, a Frosty Friday, and Blades for Grades.
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