ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Wheeling to Host Islanders and Penguins

February 6, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV –The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Wheeling Nailers announced today that the NY Islanders will hold part of their training camp at the Wheeling Civic Center and play an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Penguins during that same time period next fall.

Under the direction of Islanders Coach Peter Laviolette, former head coach of the Wheeling Nailers; the Islanders will hold a mini camp in Wheeling, stay at the Oglebay Resort & Conference Center and play an exhibition game on September 19, 2003 in the Wheeling Civic Center vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In an effort to give back to the community from where he began his coaching career, Peter Laviolette, along with the Pittsburgh Penguins orchestrated this first ever NHL event for the hockey fans of the Ohio Valley, the city of Wheeling, and the Wheeling Civic Center.

"I just wanted to give back to the community that treated Kristen [Laviolette's wife] and me so well in such a short period of time and helped me launch my professional coaching career," stated Laviolette when asked about this unique circumstance.

Laviolette was named the head coach of the New York Islanders on May 23, 2001. On June 30, 2000, he was named assistant coach of the Boston Bruins and served under Pat Burns and Mike Keenan. He had spent the two seasons prior to his year with the Bruins as the head coach of Boston's AHL affiliate in Providence. In 1998-99, he led that club to the winningest season in AHL history with a 56-16-4-4 record and to a 15-4 post-season run as they captured the AHL's Calder Cup championship. At the conclusion of that season, he was named the AHL's Outstanding Coach. In 1999-2000, he again led the AHL Bruins to a playoff berth, despite using over 80 players due to injuries and recalls to Boston. His two-year coaching record in Providence was 89-54-10-7 (.609 win percentage) with a 25-8 playoff record (.758 percentage).

In 1997-98, he began his coaching career with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers and led them to the playoff semifinals. Laviolette played four seasons of college hockey at Westfield (MA) State College. He turned professional in 1986-87 and spent most of his eleven pro seasons in the International and American Hockey Leagues, but played 12 NHL games with the New York Rangers in the 1988-89 season. Laviolette represented the United States on two Olympic Teams -- playing in the 1988 Games in Calgary and captaining the 1994 squad in Lillehammer. He concluded his playing career with Providence, becoming the team's first captain in 1992-93.

Laviolette, 37, and his wife Kristen, have two sons, Peter and Jack, and a one-year old daughter, Elizabeth Rose.

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