With the Pittsburgh Penguins and Wheeling Nailers renewing their affiliation agreement for an ECHL-best 17th consecutive season last week, we took a look at the five best Penguins players to have graduated from their Double-A affiliate since 1998. Honorable Mention Bobby Farnham: Farnham has just 11 NHL games under his belt, so his career rating is far from complete, but he climbed the ladder the hard way, starting off on an ECHL contract in 2012-13. After 3 goals and 46 penalty minutes in 9 ... Read More
Penguins, Nailers renew affiliation agreement
The Pittsburgh Penguins have extended their affiliation agreement with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL for the 2015-16 season. The Nailers will enter their 17th consecutive season as the Penguins’ Double-A affiliate, and it will be the 16th unchanged season for the Penguins minor league affiliates, the Nailers and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. "We are pleased to extend our partnership with the Wheeling Nailers," said Penguins Associate General Manager ... Read More
Defenseman Matt Murphy trying to impress at Pens development camp
For most of the Pittsburgh Penguins prospects skating in this week’s development camp, it’s a chance to check in on their off-season progress, get a new perspective on training and have a little fun with some of their peers. For defenseman Matt Murphy, it’s a job interview. Murphy, a 20-year old native of Fredericton, New Brunswick is in a unique situation amongst those at prospect camp. Most of the players have either been drafted or signed to a professional contract by the Penguins. Those ... Read More
Nailers re-sign former RMU captain Cody Wydo
The Wheeling Nailers have signed their second player for the 2015-16 season, and it’s a familiar face to many Pittsburgh-area hockey fans. Former Robert Morris Colonials captain Cody Wydo will re-join the Nailers for his first full professional season in 2015-16. Wydo, 24, played in all 37 games for the Colonials in 2014-15, leading the team in goals (20), assists (23) and points (43). Over his senior season, Wydo became the program’s all-time leading scorer and first-ever Hobey Baker ... Read More
Pens add Jay Leach to WBS coaching staff
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have rounded out their coach staff, hiring former NHL defenseman Jay Leach as their assistant coach, it was announced by Pittsburgh Penguins associate general manager Jason Botterill on Tuesday. Leach, 35, comes with boatloads of NHL and AHL experience. He played with eight different AHL teams and played 70 NHL games in his 11-year pro career. “We are pleased to be able to add Jay to our coaching staff,” Botterill said in a press release. “With veteran ... Read More
Jacques Martin to re-join Penguins coaching staff
The Pittsburgh Penguins will have a familiar face in a new role for the 2015-16 season. Former assistant coach Jacques Martin will re-join the coaching staff with the new title of special assistant to the head coach. Martin, 62, was listed as a member of the scouting staff for the 2014-15 season with the title of special adviser of hockey operations. He is the lone member of the 2013-14 coaching staff that is still with the organization. Martin’s new role will be that of an “eye in the sky” ... Read More
Wydo sparkles in pro debut
Former Robert Morris captain Cody Wydo made his professional debut with the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night, and he did it in style. Wydo scored a goal and an assist to lead the Nailers to a 2-1 victory over the Fort Wayne Komets. Several RMU students and a large group of his teammates made the 60-mile trip to Wheeling to cheer him on and Wydo, the school’s all-time leading scorer and a Hobey Baker finalist, didn’t disappoint. The game was tight checking and scoreless through the first ... Read More
Nailers to sign Robert Morris captain Cody Wydo
Outgoing Robert Morris hockey captain Cody Wydo is expected to sign with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, according to sources close to the situation. Wydo, 23, is the Colonials' all-time leading scorer and will join the Nailers this week, most likely making his professional debut this coming weekend. Wydo is one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which is given annually to the best college hockey player in the nation. He is the first finalist for the award that Robert Morris has ... Read More
Nailers to stay in Wheeling; extend head coach
With the Pittsburgh Penguins ready to kick off their 2014-15 season, Wednesday turned out to be a good day for one of its affiliates. Wheeling Nailers Governor Don Rigby announced that the team has agreed to a three-year extension with WesBanco Arena and the City of Wheeling. The deal guarantees that the Nailers will stay in Wheeling through the 2017-18 season. Rigby also announced at the Nailers 2014 State of the Team Event, that head coach Clark Donatelli has received a three-year ... Read More
Wheeling Nailers sign two
The Wheeling Nailers continue to load up their roster for the 2014-15 season, recently adding two more bodies to the mix in center Jarrett Burton and defenseman Brendan Rempel. Burton, a 23-year old two-way center joined the Nailers at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season, after a four-year collegiate career at Clarkson University. He didn't see much ice time in Wheeling last season, but had a solid collegiate career. Burton scored 12 goals in 35 games as a junior, before scoring 11 goals ... Read More