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SOMOZA LEADS SWAMP RABBITS TO ROAD TRIP SWEEP
Greenville goes four-for-four on the road with a 2-1 win over Savannah; the magic number at 15 for playoffs
By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Ethan Somoza rifled a laser at 7:53 of the second period to break a 1-1 deadlock and, coupled with Ryan Bednard's 32 saves on 33 shots, powered the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 2-1 win against the Savannah Ghost Pirates on Thursday night. The win gives the Swamp Rabbits a 40-win season for the eighth time in Greenville professional hockey history, back-to-back 40-win seasons for the second time in franchise history. It knocks their magic number to clinch a spot in the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs to 15 with 14 games remaining.
Both teams started the game deadlocked and left it as such, with each igniting the goal lamp once. Ryan Francis put Greenville on the board first when he entered the Ghost Pirates zone down the middle, took on his defender one-on-one, and fired a shot from the high slot. His shot deflected off his assailant and fluttered by Savannah goalie Jesper Vikman, giving the Swamp Rabbits a 1-0 lead at 9:29 of the first period. Savannah deadlocked the game late in the first, with Keltie Jeri-Leon squaring things up. Off the Rush with 2:08 left in the first, Jeri-Leon sent a shot from the right circle that slipped under Swamp Rabbits net-minder Ryan Bednard, squaring the game at 1-1 (Brandon Estes had the lone assist).
The game was deadlocked until the middle of the second period, when a solid breakout led the Swamp Rabbits to pull ahead. With 7:53 left in the second, Jake Stevens bumped the puck to Tanner Eberle, who slipped a cross-ice pass to Ethan Somoza, triggering a two-on-one entry. Somoza elected to toe drag and uncorked a laser past Vikman's blocker up top, putting the Swamp Rabbits in the driver's seat with a 2-1 lead (Eberle and Stevens assisted).
The Swamp Rabbits locked down the third period once again defensively and weathered a late storm from Savannah. The Ghost Pirates came close a few times and had a great chance to tie the game late with a power play and extra attacker in the final 30 seconds of the game, but Greenville stood its ground and hung on for a 2-1 win, sweeping all four games of their road trip against Atlanta, Orlando, and Savannah.
Ryan Bednard stopped all but one shot of 33 faced over 60 minutes, anchoring a team-leading 18th win of the season (18-9-0-0).
The Swamp Rabbits return home to take on the Toledo Walleye for games at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The puck drop for game one on Friday, March 15th, is at 7:05 pm EST. The game is our annual "Faith and Family Night," presented by HIS Radio and LeafFilter, and features live music on the Furman Plaza starting at 5 pm and a celebration of faith, fellowship, and family throughout the game. Saturday's rematch is St. Patrick's Day, presented by Helacious, and features specialty St. Patrick's Day-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. The Swamp Rabbits complete their weekend on Sunday in Jacksonville to square off against the Icemen on Sunday, March 17th, with puck drop set for 3:05 pm EST at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly, the Greenville Road Warriors and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's LA Kings and the AHL's Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier' AA' Hockey League member.
HARTFORD WOLF PACK
HOWLINGS
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#AHL#AmericanHockeyLeague#BonSecoursWellnessArena#ECHL#GreenvilleSwampRabbits#HartfordWolfPack#NationalHockeyLeague#NewYorkRangers#OakViewGroup#OntarioReign#SavannahGhostPirates#SpireSports+Entertainment#VyStarVeteransMemorialArena#XLCenter
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Nailers Announce Details of Future Considerations Trades
Wheeling Receives the Rights to Four Players - Fyten, McKay, Beaulieu, Gulka
The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced the details of their five future considerations trades.
The Nailers have acquired the rights to forward Andrew Fyten and defenseman Chris McKay from the Florida Everblades, which completes the trade that sent forward Sean Josling to Florida.
Fyten, 24, joined the Everblades after completing his final season at Mount Royal University, and promptly posted five goals, five assists, and ten points
in his first 21 regular season games as a pro. Andrew also appeared in 12 of Florida's 22 playoff contests to help win the Kelly Cup. That was the Sundre, Alberta native's second career championship, as he also won a WHL Title with the 2017-18 Edmonton Oil Kings. Prior to turning pro, Fyten enjoyed his best season at Mount Royal, as he collected 17 points in 24 games for the Cougars. Andrew's older brother Austin was Wheeling's team captain during the 2020-21 season.
McKay, 27, has also won a pair of championships, as he won the Kelly Cup with Florida in 2021-22 and the
SPHL's President's Cup with the Pensacola Ice Flyers in 2020-21. Chris played the 2022-23 campaign as a member of the Wichita Thunder, and finished third on the team in defensive scoring with four goals, 15 assists, and 19 points in 44 games. Prior to turning pro, the Edmonton, Alberta native attended R.I.T., where he played four seasons of college hockey for the Tigers.
The Nailers have acquired the rights to defenseman Philip Beaulieu from the Worcester Railers, which completes the trade that sent forward Max
Johnson to Worcester. Beaulieu, 27, just completed his third pro season and first with the Railers, after spending his first two seasons with the Allen Americans. Philip has compiled 13 goals, 65 assists, and 78 points in 141 career ECHL games, and has also appeared in one AHL tilt with the Iowa Wild. 2021-22 was his best campaign, as he led Allen blueliners with 38 points. Prior to turning pro, the Duluth, Minnesota native attended Northern Michigan University, where he led the Wildcats in defensive scoring during three of his four seasons.
The Nailers have acquired the rights to forward Sean Gulka from the Maine Mariners, which completes
the trade that sent forward Carter Johnson to Maine, and also saw forward Keltie Jeri-Leon come to Wheeling. Gulka, 23, played the majority of the 2022-23 season with the SPHL's Pensacola Ice Flyers, as he registered five goals, five assists, and ten points in 24 games. He also accumulated 34 penalty minutes, which included three fighting majors, in seven ECHL contests with the South Carolina Stingrays. Prior to turning pro, the Langley, British Columbia native played junior hockey for the WHL's Spokane Chiefs and Victoria Royals.
The Nailers have traded the rights to forward Ross Krieger to the Idaho Steelheads, which completes the trade that sent
defenseman Jack Van Boekel to Wheeling. Krieger, 25, started his pro career with the Nailers, as he notched three goals, three assists, and six points in 12 games, including a goal in his pro debut on March 10th at Fort Wayne. The Pain Court, Ontario native joined Wheeling after completing his final season at the University of Toronto, where he amassed 46 points in 67 career games with the Varsity Blues.
The Nailers have traded the rights to defenseman Jack Van Boekel to the Savannah Ghost Pirates, which completes the trade that sent defenseman
T.J. Fergus to Wheeling. Van Boekel, 27, finished third on the Nailers with 92 penalty minutes during the 2022-23 season, and he also contributed two goals and five points in 30 games. Jack will be entering his third pro season, as he has also played for the Cincinnati Cyclones and Idaho Steelheads.
The next key offseason date is June 22nd, when team submit their Season Ending Rosters. Teams may begin signing players on June 23rd for the 2023-24 season.
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Thank you, Keltie Jeri-Leon.
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maine mariners wallpapers
keltie jeri-leon // connor doherty
#hockey#echl#east coast hockey league#maine mariners#my wallpapers#hockey wallpaper#keltie jeri leon#connor doherty
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@shea-theodore reminding me today was Jeri-Leon's last practice at the Sho followed by me remembering Sunday is his last game...bro 😔
#things i am not: okay#seattle thunderbirds#keltie jeri-leon#i hate it every time it's a captain's/20's last game#he won't even have a crowd
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TBirds Twitter || Today marks the final practice in ShoWareCenter for [Seattle Thunderbirds] Keltie Jeri-Leon ... is someone cutting onions? 😭💚💙
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Down to third-string goalie, Spokane Chiefs lose 9-5 in Seattle - Fri, 27 Dec 2019 PST
Keltie Jeri-Leon had two goals and three assists as the Seattle Thunderbirds routed the visiting Spokane Chiefs 9-5 in Western Hockey League play Friday night.
Down to third-string goalie, Spokane Chiefs lose 9-5 in Seattle - Fri, 27 Dec 2019 PST
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Bonesaw Helps Nailers Cut Through Iowa in Series Opener, 5-2
Things got interesting in the closing minutes of Wednesday night's series opener between the Wheeling Nailers and Iowa Heartlanders at Xtream Arena, but in the end, the Nailers had it all the way. After Austin Eastman tied the score with his second goal of the contest, Jarrett Lee put the Nailers ahead with 4:38 to go. Thanks to insurance strikes by Ross Krieger and Keltie Jeri-Leon, Wheeling never looked back, as it earned a 5-2 win. Brad Barone was a big reason his team ended up on the right side of the equation, as he denied 38 shots between the pipes.
Both teams got on the scoreboard in the first period. Iowa collected the first marker of the night, which came just 2:02 into the contest. Justin Michaelian sent an aerial pass to the front of the crease, and got a friendly bounce, as the puck hit off of teammate Austin Eastman and dribbled in over the line. The Nailers had a plethora of chances in the opening stanza, as they peppered the net with 17 shots. The 17th one went in to tie the match. Chris Ortiz carried the puck out of the right corner and set off chaos around the crease. David Jankowski ultimately dragged the puck free, and deposited a wrist shot into the right side of the cage.
Goaltending helped to preserve the 1-1 tie in the early stages of the second period, which featured Brad Barone's best sequence of the evening, as he denied three straight high-grade scoring opportunities. Wheeling fed off of the tremendous play of its keeper and scored a go-ahead marker moments later. Keltie Jeri-Leon helped battle the puck out of the defensive zone, then got rewarded on the other end, when he zipped a pass from Peter Laviolette in from the right circle.
The score stayed that way for over 27 minutes, before the Heartlanders pulled even at the 14:44 mark of the third. Nolan Orzeck drilled a shot from the slot, which was stopped by Barone. However, the rebound fell out to Eastman on the left, who potted his second of the evening. The Nailers immediately put their heads down and battled back to retake the lead 38 seconds later. Cédric Desruisseaux slid a pass into the right circle for Jarrett Lee, who roofed a wrist shot into the top-right corner of the twine. Ross Krieger added a big insurance tally 1:28 after that, when he gobbled up a loose puck in the left circle, and also flew his shot into the right side of the net. Jeri-Leon put the finishing touches on the 5-2 Wheeling triumph with his second of the night, as he found the vacant goal from his own side of the red line.
Brad Barone was outstanding to earn the victory for the Nailers, as he made a season-high 38 saves on 40 shots. Hunter Jones also had a busy night for Iowa, as he came away with 40 stops on 44 attempts in the loss.
The Nailers and Heartlanders will have Thursday off, before concluding the 2022-23 season with games on Friday and Saturday at 8:05 in Coralville. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
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2021-22 Maine Mariners Roster
Wingers
#9 Mathew Santos (Toronto, Ontario)
#15 Brendan Robbins (Nashua, New Hampshire)
#18 Keltie Jeri-Leon (Kelowna, British Columbia)
#19 Andrew Romano (Upper Darby, Pennsylvania)
#22 Cameron Askew (Boston, Massachusetts)
#23 Alex Kile (Troy, Michigan) A
#41 Justin Brazeau (Temiskaming Shores, Ontario)
Centers
#20 Devon Paliani (LaSalle, Ontario)
#21 Connor Bleackley (High River, Alberta)
#27 Pat Shea (Marshfield, Massachusetts)
#29 Pascal Laberge (Châteauguay, Quebec)
Defensemen
#2 Andrew Peski (Orleans, Ontario)
#4 Brendan Saint-Louis (Baie-Comeau, Quebec)
#5 J.D. Greenway (Canton, New York)
#6 Jason Horvath (Russell Township, Ontario)
#14 Brycen Martin (Calgary, Alberta) A
#24 Marc-Olivier Duquette (Châteauguay, Quebec)
#26 Nate Kallen (San Diego, California)
#28 Connor Doherty (Holden, Massachusetts) C
Goalies
#33 Callum Booth (Montreal, Quebec)
#35 Jeremy Brodeur (Essex Falls, New Jersey)
#40 Zachary Bouthillier (Chambly, Quebec)
#Sports#Hockey#Hockey Goalies#Maine#Celebrities#Massachusetts#Canada#Alberta#Quebec#Ontario#New Jersey#New York#British Columbia#Michigan#New Hampshire#Pennsylvania#Awesome
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Nailers Explode for Four in the Third to Trounce Iowa, 6-2
The Wheeling Nailers are playing their final home weekend of the season, and on Friday night, they gave their fans a lot to cheer about. Wheeling had a great start to the contest with two goals in the first period, then poured in four during the third period to break a 2-2 tie and take down the Iowa Heartlanders, 6-2 at WesBanco Arena. Brooklyn Kalmikov and Keltie Jeri-Leon both registered two-goal games, as Jeri-Leon netted his first two in a Wheeling uniform. David Drake started the third period explosion with his fourth marker of the campaign.
The Nailers came out with an exceptional first period, as they outshot Iowa, 17-7, and that translated to a 2-0 lead. Chris Ortiz picked up a secondary assist on the opening marker, but his net drive created a great distraction, as Brooklyn Kalmikov let a shot go from the left wing wall, which found its way into the net. Wheeling followed that up by converting on a power play. With lots of bodies setting up in the low slot, Keltie Jeri-Leon sifted a shot through the traffic and in from the top of the right circle.
Brad Barone played a key role in maintaining the 2-0 lead through the middle frame, as he denied all 14 attempts sent his way during the 20-minute stretch.
The Heartlanders battled back with a pair of goals in the first 7:13 of third to even the score. Jake Durflinger put Iowa on the board, when his pass banked off of a Nailer and went straight back to him in the left circle, where he sent his next opportunity into the net. Yuki Miura potted the equalizer from beneath the left circle, when he touched in a pass from Chris Lipe. Wheeling rebounded quickly and retook the lead just 1:33 later. David Drake led the charge on a 2-on-1 rush, and kept the puck to himself, as he fired a missile of a wrist shot into the left side of the cage. 2:13 after that, Brooklyn Kalmikov put the home side ahead by two, when his right circle wrist shot sailed into the left side of the twine. Next up was Tyler Drevitch, who cruised down the slot, faked to his forehand, and shoveled a shot into the right side. Jeri-Leon put the exclamation point on the 6-2 triumph, when he picked off a pass and drove a shot into the right side of the net.
Brad Barone backstopped the victory for the Nailers, as he stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced. Hunter Jones took the loss for the Heartlanders, as he surrendered six goals on 41 shots.
The Nailers will close out the home portion of their 2022-23 season against the Fort Wayne Komets on Saturday night at 7:10. Saturday's promotion is Fan Appreciation Night, which includes thousands of dollars worth of prizes, as well as jerseys off the players' backs, following the 7:10 contest against the Fort Wayne Komets. Tickets are available by visiting wheelingnailers.com or calling (304) 234-GOAL. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
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#belmontcounty#BrookeCounty#ECHL#MarshallCounty#ohiocounty#UpperOhioValley#WesbancoArena#wheeling#WheleingNailers
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ON THE NAIL! - Trades and the Season's Final Month
After dropping both games last weekend to Ft. Wayne to extend their losing streak to seven, the Nailers finally found their way back into the win column Wednesday with an 8-4 win over Norfolk. As we enter the home stretch, what do you expect to see from the Nailers the rest of the way?
Boy, I’ll tell you, going from thinking there’s a chance to get back into the playoff picture to just barely being alive mathematically isn’t how I expected things to go the last couple weeks.
Think back to the first week of March, when the Nailers had just taken two of three from this same Admirals team here in Wheeling and, with Ft. Wayne having lost six of their last seven games, and you couldn’t help but think the team was very alive, only five standings points back of the Komets. Since then, the Nailers have completely imploded, losers of seven straight (including three against the team they were trying to catch up to and pass in the standings), while Ft. Wayne has managed to go 4-1 over the same stretch and make their lead a seemingly insurmountable 11 points with Wheeling only having 13 games left this season compared to the Komets’ 15 games. At this point, even if the Nailers win every game left on their schedule and finish up with 79 standings points, they would need Ft. Wayne to go 7-8 down the stretch with every loss being in regulation to even have a chance.
Just to get back to .500 on the season, the Nailers need to go at least 9-3-1 the rest of the way, which looks almost impossible with how they have been playing since we entered March.
That being said, while I do expect to see Wheeling finish the season below .500 and miss the playoffs at this point, what I really want to see coming down the stretch is a competitive hockey team playing a strong team game. I feel like that’s what has been lacking these last couple of weeks. I’ve seen forwards move up ice early hoping to create for themselves before ensuring possession in their own zone. I’ve seen defensemen being pulled out of position too easily and giving up good scoring chances and not sticking to what brought them success earlier in the season. I’ve seen goaltending that has been subpar at best, not hugging posts when the puck goes low and giving up way too many juicy rebounds that the other team was able to capitalize on.
I’ve seen a power play that is too happy to pass the puck around then lose possession without even getting a shot on goal. I’ve seen a penalty kill that spends too much time chasing the puck instead of insulating the net and protecting the house.
So, what’s the cause of all of this, and what’s the fix? It feels like it comes down to leadership on the team, and lack thereof. Guys aren’t being held accountable by their teammates for playing sloppy hockey. Guys are working for their own game rather than focusing on what the team needs from them to succeed. I know Wheeling has lost a lot of guys throughout this season, guys that were expected to be those leaders. Well, when that happens, someone else must be ready to step into that spot and show the other players what is expected of them. I’ve seen bits and pieces of it, but not enough and not consistently.
Someone on this team really needs to be the one to pull it together, and without that, we’ve seen what we’re going to get from this roster. If someone is willing to do that, and show this team how to play team hockey again, I expect to see enough success on the ice to give me hope going into the offseason for next year.
The Nailers have begun making some roster moves, shipping Carter Johnson to the Maine Mariners for their playoff run in exchange for Keltie Jeri-Leon. What do moves like this mean to the team and what you will see from them at this point in the year?
Hearing that your team is moving players to teams that are in playoff contention is generally a sign that they realize they’re not making that sort of run themselves. Especially when we’re giving up players like Carter Johnson, who I openly admitted was my favorite player on the team due to how he played the game, Luke Santerno, who was sent to Kansas City, and Sean Josling, who was sent to Florida on Wednesday. Seeing these moves makes you wonder what could have been this year if they could have played to their fullest potential, especially seeing as teams who do have their own playoff races to worry about want them for this stretch.
They obviously see the skill there and want them for this time, and it would have been nice to be in that position and be the team looking to bring guys in to lock it down. Losing skill guys is never a good feeling at this point for the fans who have grown attached to the guys they like on the team just to watch them go.
However, I must say I’m also excited for what the Nailers were able to turn these moves into. First, they were able to bring back Shaw Boomhower in the trade with the Mavericks, who had a good season last year here in Wheeling and may be looking to get back to what he was so successful at during his first stint in the Friendly City. In the Maine move, the Nailers were able to add Jeri-Leon who, to this point in the season, has managed to contribute 19 points in 38 games played, and has also seen time in the AHL last season with the Providence Bruins and the Abbotsford Canucks.
That shows me that this young man has the skill to perform at a level that is worthy of AHL looks, so I’d love to see what he could do with a full season here in Wheeling to show his full range of skills.
Another important thing to consider is that the Canadian college hockey season recently came to an end, and the NCAA season here in the United States is close to finishing. Wheeling historically has been very successful in bringing in strong collegiate players to give them a chance to adjust to playing at a pro level, and this season should be no exception.
As college seasons end, young players become available, and there’s no reason they couldn’t come here to Wheeling to show what they can do at this level. In addition to them, Wheeling also holds “future considerations” from Maine, Worchester, and Florida due to previous trades, meaning the Nailers will get to select players from each of those teams that are on a preapproved list, and that could lead to some really good players come back this way. Overall, while it hurts to see this happen for this season’s team, it definitely gives hope leading into the 2023-24 season.
As you said in your last answer, the team appears to be gearing up to see what they could have for the 2023-24 season now with some of the moves they’re making. Based on that as well as what you’re seeing from the guys still on the team coming down the stretch, what are your expectations now for what we should see here in Wheeling next year?
I couldn’t help but notice that, with the moves listed above, the Nailers were able to bring in younger guys that I can’t help but think they expect to have a chance to keep around for next year. Boomhower is 24 (in exchange for 26 year old Santerno), Jeri-Leon is 23 (while Johnson is 27), and some of the young men who will be added in the coming weeks will be in their early 20’s as well. Adding a little youth will do multiple things: it will inject the room with the energy of these kids hoping to showcase their skills, while pushing the guys who have been here to work harder to keep their spots the rest of the way and possibly into next year.
I think this is exactly what you have to hope for when your team is at the point that Wheeling is at now. Pushing guys to play hard to stay in the lineup while injecting that youthful energy will hopefully allow the Nailers to have some success over the final month of the season.
As for how this could affect things going into next year, obviously there are a number of things that can happen between now and then that will affect that. Players will move on from Wheeling if they think that’s the best move for them. The Nailers will continue to bring in other guys who they think will work well under Coach Army’s style and teaching to hopefully turn things around here and make them back into a playoff team. But hopefully, they see something here before the end of the year that allows them to make those decisions now to be ready for the offseason and the new league year. I want to see someone step in and take the leadership opportunity and run with it.
I want to see these young guys come to Wheeling hungry to continue their pro careers and earn a chance with the Nailers beyond this abbreviated period. While I haven’t seen what they’re going to do here yet, I expect to see fierce play from these guys, and it definitely gives me hope for next year if they continue to work to build off of whatever they’re able to do during the offseason.
With Carter Johnson moving on to play for Maine, who on the roster now gets the Jeff Yost “kiss of death,” aka being known as your “favorite player on the team?”
In my defense, I choose not to see it as a “kiss of death,” but rather an appreciation for a player who plays the game the right way. A guy who is able to contribute all the way around, provide offense, have a strong 200 foot game in all three zones on the ice, and do what is asked of them when they go over the boards.
I see it as a guy who shows that he makes the effort that teams in a playoff position think will help get them over the edge and help them be successful the rest of the way and hopefully hoisting a trophy after the final game. A player who has the skills that could help them reach higher levels and advance beyond the ECHL, hopefully to the AHL or even to the NHL someday. If you want to look at it as a “kiss of death” for their time here with the Nailers, that’s your prerogative.
Looking at the current roster, there are still a number of guys I could choose from, but I think the one I appreciate the most of the guys who are here is Cedric Desruisseaux.
He definitely provides that offensive pop, with 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points while playing in all 59 games thus far this season. He has shown up pretty well on the power play this year also, contributing five goals and seven assists with the man advantage. He also plays the game the right way and has only accumulated 10 penalty minutes to this point.
The one area I think he could use a little focus on would be in the defensive zone. I’m not saying he doesn’t work hard there, but something that he could be better at going into next year would be creating his offensive chances in the defensive zone and then turning it into his play moving forward. If he could do that, there’s no question he would deserve a look from the next level.
Honorable mention for this has to go to Tyler Drevitch. He has managed to more than triple the number of goals from last season, going from five in 2021-22 to 16 to this point of this season, while also playing in all 59 games to date. He manages to play the game with a bit of an edge, but that’s also the point where he needs to work to clean up his game some.
Drevitch has managed to earn 139 penalty minutes already, after earning 112 penalty minutes in only 45 games last year. Things like that won’t fly at higher levels for the most part. I know teams like to have guys who are pests or grinders or who are able to play their game on that line. But earning well over 100 penalty minutes in so few games means you’re effectively handcuffing your team at least once per game. If he is able to clean this up a little and not find himself in the box as much next year, I think he has a good chance at being very successful here in the Friendly City.
The Nailers game next Friday against Kalamazoo will have a very special event, as Peter Laviolette and Brock Woods are inducted in the Nailer Hall of Fame. How excited are you for this moment and do you look forward to being in attendance for it?
Nostalgia is definitely a wonderful thing when it comes to moments like this. Being able to remember their impact on the Thunderbirds/Nailers franchise by seeing it firsthand helps fans like me appreciate the fact that they’re being recognized by the franchise. I personally can remember seeing Brock Woods play on the ice across the three seasons spent on the ice here in Wheeling with the then-Thunderbirds, and he was a very strong player on the ice.
His numbers were never that eye-catching (the most he had in a year was 46 points in 64 games played, and he finished with 122 points in 193 games played in the red and black), but he served as the captain of the team, and he led by example on the ice. You knew that, when he was on the ice, he wasn’t going to back down from a challenge, he would do everything he could to make the play for his team, and his 639 penalty minutes shows that he played with that edge that can be really appreciated at this level. He played on teams with players like Tim Tisdale, Darren Schwartz, and Tim Roberts on the back end with him, and yet Woods still sticks out in my mind as one of the best players on those teams, and I definitely think this honor is well deserved.
As for Coach Laviolette, having the chance to see a guy work his way from coaching here in Wheeling to being a Stanley Cup winning head coach with the Carolina Hurricanes (who now unfortunately coaches the Washington Capitals) has been an amazing experience. Although he only spent one season here with the Nailers, it was a very successful year, with the team going 37-24-9 and eventually losing in the conference finals to the Hampton Roads Admirals, who went on to win the championship that year.
Laviolette has seen success at every level he’s be able to coach at, and he also stands as the winningest American born coach in NHL history, just head of John Tortorella, which makes me like him even more. Knowing that he got his start right here in Wheeling really does make it special that he has been able to accomplish everything that he has.
Having the chance to recognize people who helped contribute to the history of hockey here in Wheeling in their own ways is definitely a wonderful occasion. With how many years this franchise has been here now, and how many more years they will continue to be, it’s always a good feeling when you have a chance to look back at moments and people who were such wonderful contributors and have led to what we have here now.
I’ve always prided myself on my ability to be appreciative of what has happened in order to shape what is currently going on, and I think a moment like this should be cherished. I look forward to getting to see this personally, and I really hope everyone else gets to come down to Wesbanco Arena and take part in it as well.
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#belmontcounty#BrookeCounty#ECHL#MarshallCounty#ohiocounty#UpperOhioValley#WesbancoArena#wheeling#WheleingNailers
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ON THE NAIL! - Trades and the Season's Final Month
After dropping both games last weekend to Ft. Wayne to extend their losing streak to seven, the Nailers finally found their way back into the win column Wednesday with an 8-4 win over Norfolk. As we enter the home stretch, what do you expect to see from the Nailers the rest of the way?
Boy, I’ll tell you, going from thinking there’s a chance to get back into the playoff picture to just barely being alive mathematically isn’t how I expected things to go the last couple weeks.
Think back to the first week of March, when the Nailers had just taken two of three from this same Admirals team here in Wheeling and, with Ft. Wayne having lost six of their last seven games, and you couldn’t help but think the team was very alive, only five standings points back of the Komets. Since then, the Nailers have completely imploded, losers of seven straight (including three against the team they were trying to catch up to and pass in the standings), while Ft. Wayne has managed to go 4-1 over the same stretch and make their lead a seemingly insurmountable 11 points with Wheeling only having 13 games left this season compared to the Komets’ 15 games. At this point, even if the Nailers win every game left on their schedule and finish up with 79 standings points, they would need Ft. Wayne to go 7-8 down the stretch with every loss being in regulation to even have a chance.
Just to get back to .500 on the season, the Nailers need to go at least 9-3-1 the rest of the way, which looks almost impossible with how they have been playing since we entered March.
That being said, while I do expect to see Wheeling finish the season below .500 and miss the playoffs at this point, what I really want to see coming down the stretch is a competitive hockey team playing a strong team game. I feel like that’s what has been lacking these last couple of weeks. I’ve seen forwards move up ice early hoping to create for themselves before ensuring possession in their own zone. I’ve seen defensemen being pulled out of position too easily and giving up good scoring chances and not sticking to what brought them success earlier in the season. I’ve seen goaltending that has been subpar at best, not hugging posts when the puck goes low and giving up way too many juicy rebounds that the other team was able to capitalize on.
I’ve seen a power play that is too happy to pass the puck around then lose possession without even getting a shot on goal. I’ve seen a penalty kill that spends too much time chasing the puck instead of insulating the net and protecting the house.
So, what’s the cause of all of this, and what’s the fix? It feels like it comes down to leadership on the team, and lack thereof. Guys aren’t being held accountable by their teammates for playing sloppy hockey. Guys are working for their own game rather than focusing on what the team needs from them to succeed. I know Wheeling has lost a lot of guys throughout this season, guys that were expected to be those leaders. Well, when that happens, someone else must be ready to step into that spot and show the other players what is expected of them. I’ve seen bits and pieces of it, but not enough and not consistently.
Someone on this team really needs to be the one to pull it together, and without that, we’ve seen what we’re going to get from this roster. If someone is willing to do that, and show this team how to play team hockey again, I expect to see enough success on the ice to give me hope going into the offseason for next year.
The Nailers have begun making some roster moves, shipping Carter Johnson to the Maine Mariners for their playoff run in exchange for Keltie Jeri-Leon. What do moves like this mean to the team and what you will see from them at this point in the year?
Hearing that your team is moving players to teams that are in playoff contention is generally a sign that they realize they’re not making that sort of run themselves. Especially when we’re giving up players like Carter Johnson, who I openly admitted was my favorite player on the team due to how he played the game, Luke Santerno, who was sent to Kansas City, and Sean Josling, who was sent to Florida on Wednesday. Seeing these moves makes you wonder what could have been this year if they could have played to their fullest potential, especially seeing as teams who do have their own playoff races to worry about want them for this stretch.
They obviously see the skill there and want them for this time, and it would have been nice to be in that position and be the team looking to bring guys in to lock it down. Losing skill guys is never a good feeling at this point for the fans who have grown attached to the guys they like on the team just to watch them go.
However, I must say I’m also excited for what the Nailers were able to turn these moves into. First, they were able to bring back Shaw Boomhower in the trade with the Mavericks, who had a good season last year here in Wheeling and may be looking to get back to what he was so successful at during his first stint in the Friendly City. In the Maine move, the Nailers were able to add Jeri-Leon who, to this point in the season, has managed to contribute 19 points in 38 games played, and has also seen time in the AHL last season with the Providence Bruins and the Abbotsford Canucks.
That shows me that this young man has the skill to perform at a level that is worthy of AHL looks, so I’d love to see what he could do with a full season here in Wheeling to show his full range of skills.
Another important thing to consider is that the Canadian college hockey season recently came to an end, and the NCAA season here in the United States is close to finishing. Wheeling historically has been very successful in bringing in strong collegiate players to give them a chance to adjust to playing at a pro level, and this season should be no exception.
As college seasons end, young players become available, and there’s no reason they couldn’t come here to Wheeling to show what they can do at this level. In addition to them, Wheeling also holds “future considerations” from Maine, Worchester, and Florida due to previous trades, meaning the Nailers will get to select players from each of those teams that are on a preapproved list, and that could lead to some really good players come back this way. Overall, while it hurts to see this happen for this season’s team, it definitely gives hope leading into the 2023-24 season.
As you said in your last answer, the team appears to be gearing up to see what they could have for the 2023-24 season now with some of the moves they’re making. Based on that as well as what you’re seeing from the guys still on the team coming down the stretch, what are your expectations now for what we should see here in Wheeling next year?
I couldn’t help but notice that, with the moves listed above, the Nailers were able to bring in younger guys that I can’t help but think they expect to have a chance to keep around for next year. Boomhower is 24 (in exchange for 26 year old Santerno), Jeri-Leon is 23 (while Johnson is 27), and some of the young men who will be added in the coming weeks will be in their early 20’s as well. Adding a little youth will do multiple things: it will inject the room with the energy of these kids hoping to showcase their skills, while pushing the guys who have been here to work harder to keep their spots the rest of the way and possibly into next year.
I think this is exactly what you have to hope for when your team is at the point that Wheeling is at now. Pushing guys to play hard to stay in the lineup while injecting that youthful energy will hopefully allow the Nailers to have some success over the final month of the season.
As for how this could affect things going into next year, obviously there are a number of things that can happen between now and then that will affect that. Players will move on from Wheeling if they think that’s the best move for them. The Nailers will continue to bring in other guys who they think will work well under Coach Army’s style and teaching to hopefully turn things around here and make them back into a playoff team. But hopefully, they see something here before the end of the year that allows them to make those decisions now to be ready for the offseason and the new league year. I want to see someone step in and take the leadership opportunity and run with it.
I want to see these young guys come to Wheeling hungry to continue their pro careers and earn a chance with the Nailers beyond this abbreviated period. While I haven’t seen what they’re going to do here yet, I expect to see fierce play from these guys, and it definitely gives me hope for next year if they continue to work to build off of whatever they’re able to do during the offseason.
With Carter Johnson moving on to play for Maine, who on the roster now gets the Jeff Yost “kiss of death,” aka being known as your “favorite player on the team?”
In my defense, I choose not to see it as a “kiss of death,” but rather an appreciation for a player who plays the game the right way. A guy who is able to contribute all the way around, provide offense, have a strong 200 foot game in all three zones on the ice, and do what is asked of them when they go over the boards.
I see it as a guy who shows that he makes the effort that teams in a playoff position think will help get them over the edge and help them be successful the rest of the way and hopefully hoisting a trophy after the final game. A player who has the skills that could help them reach higher levels and advance beyond the ECHL, hopefully to the AHL or even to the NHL someday. If you want to look at it as a “kiss of death” for their time here with the Nailers, that’s your prerogative.
Looking at the current roster, there are still a number of guys I could choose from, but I think the one I appreciate the most of the guys who are here is Cedric Desruisseaux.
He definitely provides that offensive pop, with 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points while playing in all 59 games thus far this season. He has shown up pretty well on the power play this year also, contributing five goals and seven assists with the man advantage. He also plays the game the right way and has only accumulated 10 penalty minutes to this point.
The one area I think he could use a little focus on would be in the defensive zone. I’m not saying he doesn’t work hard there, but something that he could be better at going into next year would be creating his offensive chances in the defensive zone and then turning it into his play moving forward. If he could do that, there’s no question he would deserve a look from the next level.
Honorable mention for this has to go to Tyler Drevitch. He has managed to more than triple the number of goals from last season, going from five in 2021-22 to 16 to this point of this season, while also playing in all 59 games to date. He manages to play the game with a bit of an edge, but that’s also the point where he needs to work to clean up his game some.
Drevitch has managed to earn 139 penalty minutes already, after earning 112 penalty minutes in only 45 games last year. Things like that won’t fly at higher levels for the most part. I know teams like to have guys who are pests or grinders or who are able to play their game on that line. But earning well over 100 penalty minutes in so few games means you’re effectively handcuffing your team at least once per game. If he is able to clean this up a little and not find himself in the box as much next year, I think he has a good chance at being very successful here in the Friendly City.
The Nailers game next Friday against Kalamazoo will have a very special event, as Peter Laviolette and Brock Woods are inducted in the Nailer Hall of Fame. How excited are you for this moment and do you look forward to being in attendance for it?
Nostalgia is definitely a wonderful thing when it comes to moments like this. Being able to remember their impact on the Thunderbirds/Nailers franchise by seeing it firsthand helps fans like me appreciate the fact that they’re being recognized by the franchise. I personally can remember seeing Brock Woods play on the ice across the three seasons spent on the ice here in Wheeling with the then-Thunderbirds, and he was a very strong player on the ice.
His numbers were never that eye-catching (the most he had in a year was 46 points in 64 games played, and he finished with 122 points in 193 games played in the red and black), but he served as the captain of the team, and he led by example on the ice. You knew that, when he was on the ice, he wasn’t going to back down from a challenge, he would do everything he could to make the play for his team, and his 639 penalty minutes shows that he played with that edge that can be really appreciated at this level. He played on teams with players like Tim Tisdale, Darren Schwartz, and Tim Roberts on the back end with him, and yet Woods still sticks out in my mind as one of the best players on those teams, and I definitely think this honor is well deserved.
As for Coach Laviolette, having the chance to see a guy work his way from coaching here in Wheeling to being a Stanley Cup winning head coach with the Carolina Hurricanes (who now unfortunately coaches the Washington Capitals) has been an amazing experience. Although he only spent one season here with the Nailers, it was a very successful year, with the team going 37-24-9 and eventually losing in the conference finals to the Hampton Roads Admirals, who went on to win the championship that year.
Laviolette has seen success at every level he’s be able to coach at, and he also stands as the winningest American born coach in NHL history, just head of John Tortorella, which makes me like him even more. Knowing that he got his start right here in Wheeling really does make it special that he has been able to accomplish everything that he has.
Having the chance to recognize people who helped contribute to the history of hockey here in Wheeling in their own ways is definitely a wonderful occasion. With how many years this franchise has been here now, and how many more years they will continue to be, it’s always a good feeling when you have a chance to look back at moments and people who were such wonderful contributors and have led to what we have here now.
I’ve always prided myself on my ability to be appreciative of what has happened in order to shape what is currently going on, and I think a moment like this should be cherished. I look forward to getting to see this personally, and I really hope everyone else gets to come down to Wesbanco Arena and take part in it as well.
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ON THE NAIL! - Trades and the Season's Final Month
After dropping both games last weekend to Ft. Wayne to extend their losing streak to seven, the Nailers finally found their way back into the win column Wednesday with an 8-4 win over Norfolk. As we enter the home stretch, what do you expect to see from the Nailers the rest of the way?
Boy, I’ll tell you, going from thinking there’s a chance to get back into the playoff picture to just barely being alive mathematically isn’t how I expected things to go the last couple weeks.
Think back to the first week of March, when the Nailers had just taken two of three from this same Admirals team here in Wheeling and, with Ft. Wayne having lost six of their last seven games, and you couldn’t help but think the team was very alive, only five standings points back of the Komets. Since then, the Nailers have completely imploded, losers of seven straight (including three against the team they were trying to catch up to and pass in the standings), while Ft. Wayne has managed to go 4-1 over the same stretch and make their lead a seemingly insurmountable 11 points with Wheeling only having 13 games left this season compared to the Komets’ 15 games. At this point, even if the Nailers win every game left on their schedule and finish up with 79 standings points, they would need Ft. Wayne to go 7-8 down the stretch with every loss being in regulation to even have a chance.
Just to get back to .500 on the season, the Nailers need to go at least 9-3-1 the rest of the way, which looks almost impossible with how they have been playing since we entered March.
That being said, while I do expect to see Wheeling finish the season below .500 and miss the playoffs at this point, what I really want to see coming down the stretch is a competitive hockey team playing a strong team game. I feel like that’s what has been lacking these last couple of weeks. I’ve seen forwards move up ice early hoping to create for themselves before ensuring possession in their own zone. I’ve seen defensemen being pulled out of position too easily and giving up good scoring chances and not sticking to what brought them success earlier in the season. I’ve seen goaltending that has been subpar at best, not hugging posts when the puck goes low and giving up way too many juicy rebounds that the other team was able to capitalize on.
I’ve seen a power play that is too happy to pass the puck around then lose possession without even getting a shot on goal. I’ve seen a penalty kill that spends too much time chasing the puck instead of insulating the net and protecting the house.
So, what’s the cause of all of this, and what’s the fix? It feels like it comes down to leadership on the team, and lack thereof. Guys aren’t being held accountable by their teammates for playing sloppy hockey. Guys are working for their own game rather than focusing on what the team needs from them to succeed. I know Wheeling has lost a lot of guys throughout this season, guys that were expected to be those leaders. Well, when that happens, someone else must be ready to step into that spot and show the other players what is expected of them. I’ve seen bits and pieces of it, but not enough and not consistently.
Someone on this team really needs to be the one to pull it together, and without that, we’ve seen what we’re going to get from this roster. If someone is willing to do that, and show this team how to play team hockey again, I expect to see enough success on the ice to give me hope going into the offseason for next year.
The Nailers have begun making some roster moves, shipping Carter Johnson to the Maine Mariners for their playoff run in exchange for Keltie Jeri-Leon. What do moves like this mean to the team and what you will see from them at this point in the year?
Hearing that your team is moving players to teams that are in playoff contention is generally a sign that they realize they’re not making that sort of run themselves. Especially when we’re giving up players like Carter Johnson, who I openly admitted was my favorite player on the team due to how he played the game, Luke Santerno, who was sent to Kansas City, and Sean Josling, who was sent to Florida on Wednesday. Seeing these moves makes you wonder what could have been this year if they could have played to their fullest potential, especially seeing as teams who do have their own playoff races to worry about want them for this stretch.
They obviously see the skill there and want them for this time, and it would have been nice to be in that position and be the team looking to bring guys in to lock it down. Losing skill guys is never a good feeling at this point for the fans who have grown attached to the guys they like on the team just to watch them go.
However, I must say I’m also excited for what the Nailers were able to turn these moves into. First, they were able to bring back Shaw Boomhower in the trade with the Mavericks, who had a good season last year here in Wheeling and may be looking to get back to what he was so successful at during his first stint in the Friendly City. In the Maine move, the Nailers were able to add Jeri-Leon who, to this point in the season, has managed to contribute 19 points in 38 games played, and has also seen time in the AHL last season with the Providence Bruins and the Abbotsford Canucks.
That shows me that this young man has the skill to perform at a level that is worthy of AHL looks, so I’d love to see what he could do with a full season here in Wheeling to show his full range of skills.
Another important thing to consider is that the Canadian college hockey season recently came to an end, and the NCAA season here in the United States is close to finishing. Wheeling historically has been very successful in bringing in strong collegiate players to give them a chance to adjust to playing at a pro level, and this season should be no exception.
As college seasons end, young players become available, and there’s no reason they couldn’t come here to Wheeling to show what they can do at this level. In addition to them, Wheeling also holds “future considerations” from Maine, Worchester, and Florida due to previous trades, meaning the Nailers will get to select players from each of those teams that are on a preapproved list, and that could lead to some really good players come back this way. Overall, while it hurts to see this happen for this season’s team, it definitely gives hope leading into the 2023-24 season.
As you said in your last answer, the team appears to be gearing up to see what they could have for the 2023-24 season now with some of the moves they’re making. Based on that as well as what you’re seeing from the guys still on the team coming down the stretch, what are your expectations now for what we should see here in Wheeling next year?
I couldn’t help but notice that, with the moves listed above, the Nailers were able to bring in younger guys that I can’t help but think they expect to have a chance to keep around for next year. Boomhower is 24 (in exchange for 26 year old Santerno), Jeri-Leon is 23 (while Johnson is 27), and some of the young men who will be added in the coming weeks will be in their early 20’s as well. Adding a little youth will do multiple things: it will inject the room with the energy of these kids hoping to showcase their skills, while pushing the guys who have been here to work harder to keep their spots the rest of the way and possibly into next year.
I think this is exactly what you have to hope for when your team is at the point that Wheeling is at now. Pushing guys to play hard to stay in the lineup while injecting that youthful energy will hopefully allow the Nailers to have some success over the final month of the season.
As for how this could affect things going into next year, obviously there are a number of things that can happen between now and then that will affect that. Players will move on from Wheeling if they think that’s the best move for them. The Nailers will continue to bring in other guys who they think will work well under Coach Army’s style and teaching to hopefully turn things around here and make them back into a playoff team. But hopefully, they see something here before the end of the year that allows them to make those decisions now to be ready for the offseason and the new league year. I want to see someone step in and take the leadership opportunity and run with it.
I want to see these young guys come to Wheeling hungry to continue their pro careers and earn a chance with the Nailers beyond this abbreviated period. While I haven’t seen what they’re going to do here yet, I expect to see fierce play from these guys, and it definitely gives me hope for next year if they continue to work to build off of whatever they’re able to do during the offseason.
With Carter Johnson moving on to play for Maine, who on the roster now gets the Jeff Yost “kiss of death,” aka being known as your “favorite player on the team?”
In my defense, I choose not to see it as a “kiss of death,” but rather an appreciation for a player who plays the game the right way. A guy who is able to contribute all the way around, provide offense, have a strong 200 foot game in all three zones on the ice, and do what is asked of them when they go over the boards.
I see it as a guy who shows that he makes the effort that teams in a playoff position think will help get them over the edge and help them be successful the rest of the way and hopefully hoisting a trophy after the final game. A player who has the skills that could help them reach higher levels and advance beyond the ECHL, hopefully to the AHL or even to the NHL someday. If you want to look at it as a “kiss of death” for their time here with the Nailers, that’s your prerogative.
Looking at the current roster, there are still a number of guys I could choose from, but I think the one I appreciate the most of the guys who are here is Cedric Desruisseaux.
He definitely provides that offensive pop, with 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points while playing in all 59 games thus far this season. He has shown up pretty well on the power play this year also, contributing five goals and seven assists with the man advantage. He also plays the game the right way and has only accumulated 10 penalty minutes to this point.
The one area I think he could use a little focus on would be in the defensive zone. I’m not saying he doesn’t work hard there, but something that he could be better at going into next year would be creating his offensive chances in the defensive zone and then turning it into his play moving forward. If he could do that, there’s no question he would deserve a look from the next level.
Honorable mention for this has to go to Tyler Drevitch. He has managed to more than triple the number of goals from last season, going from five in 2021-22 to 16 to this point of this season, while also playing in all 59 games to date. He manages to play the game with a bit of an edge, but that’s also the point where he needs to work to clean up his game some.
Drevitch has managed to earn 139 penalty minutes already, after earning 112 penalty minutes in only 45 games last year. Things like that won’t fly at higher levels for the most part. I know teams like to have guys who are pests or grinders or who are able to play their game on that line. But earning well over 100 penalty minutes in so few games means you’re effectively handcuffing your team at least once per game. If he is able to clean this up a little and not find himself in the box as much next year, I think he has a good chance at being very successful here in the Friendly City.
The Nailers game next Friday against Kalamazoo will have a very special event, as Peter Laviolette and Brock Woods are inducted in the Nailer Hall of Fame. How excited are you for this moment and do you look forward to being in attendance for it?
Nostalgia is definitely a wonderful thing when it comes to moments like this. Being able to remember their impact on the Thunderbirds/Nailers franchise by seeing it firsthand helps fans like me appreciate the fact that they’re being recognized by the franchise. I personally can remember seeing Brock Woods play on the ice across the three seasons spent on the ice here in Wheeling with the then-Thunderbirds, and he was a very strong player on the ice.
His numbers were never that eye-catching (the most he had in a year was 46 points in 64 games played, and he finished with 122 points in 193 games played in the red and black), but he served as the captain of the team, and he led by example on the ice. You knew that, when he was on the ice, he wasn’t going to back down from a challenge, he would do everything he could to make the play for his team, and his 639 penalty minutes shows that he played with that edge that can be really appreciated at this level. He played on teams with players like Tim Tisdale, Darren Schwartz, and Tim Roberts on the back end with him, and yet Woods still sticks out in my mind as one of the best players on those teams, and I definitely think this honor is well deserved.
As for Coach Laviolette, having the chance to see a guy work his way from coaching here in Wheeling to being a Stanley Cup winning head coach with the Carolina Hurricanes (who now unfortunately coaches the Washington Capitals) has been an amazing experience. Although he only spent one season here with the Nailers, it was a very successful year, with the team going 37-24-9 and eventually losing in the conference finals to the Hampton Roads Admirals, who went on to win the championship that year.
Laviolette has seen success at every level he’s be able to coach at, and he also stands as the winningest American born coach in NHL history, just head of John Tortorella, which makes me like him even more. Knowing that he got his start right here in Wheeling really does make it special that he has been able to accomplish everything that he has.
Having the chance to recognize people who helped contribute to the history of hockey here in Wheeling in their own ways is definitely a wonderful occasion. With how many years this franchise has been here now, and how many more years they will continue to be, it’s always a good feeling when you have a chance to look back at moments and people who were such wonderful contributors and have led to what we have here now.
I’ve always prided myself on my ability to be appreciative of what has happened in order to shape what is currently going on, and I think a moment like this should be cherished. I look forward to getting to see this personally, and I really hope everyone else gets to come down to Wesbanco Arena and take part in it as well.
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Wheeling Nailers Acquire Keltie Jeri-Leon from Maine
The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have made a trade, which takes effect immediately. Wheeling has acquired forward Keltie Jeri-Leon from the Maine Mariners in exchange for forward Carter Johnson.
Jeri-Leon, 23, is playing in his second professional season, and has spent the majority of his career with Maine, in addition to six AHL games with the Providence Bruins and Abbotsford Canucks. Keltie had a strong rookie campaign, as he led all first year players for the Mariners with 19 goals and finished second among rookies on his team with 35 points. So far this season, he has contributed 19 points in 38 games, while improving his defensive game, as his +/- jumped from -9 last year to +2 this season.
For his career, the Kelowna, British Columbia native has accumulated 28 goals, 27 assists, and 55 points in 101 games. Prior to turning pro, Jeri-Leon played his junior hockey in the WHL. His best individual success came with Seattle, when he racked up 40 goals over a two-year span. His best team success came with Lethbridge in 2017-18, when the team reached the conference final.
Johnson, 27, ranks third on the Nailers in scoring at the time of the trade, as he has produced 11 goals, 24 assists, and 35 points, while being one of four players to appear in all 58 games this season. This is Carter's second pro season, as Wheeling originally acquired him in a trade with the Wichita Thunder following training camp.
As a pro, he has 27 goals, 53 assists, and 80 points in 127 contests - all in the ECHL. With Maine currently sitting in third place in the North Division, it is likely that Johnson will have the opportunity to reach the playoffs for the first time. Prior to turning pro, the Gimli, Manitoba native played four years of college hockey at Miami University (Ohio).
The Nailers will begin a three-game road series against the Norfolk Admirals on Wednesday night at 7:05. The other two games of the series will be Friday at 7:05 and Saturday at 6:05. The next home game is Wheeling Hockey Hall of Fame Night on Friday, March 24th at 7:10 against the Kalamazoo Wings. Former Nailers Head Coach Peter Laviolette and former Thunderbird Brock Woods are the two inductees. That night is also a Frosty Friday.
Ticket packages and single-game tickets are available for the 2022-23 season by visiting wheelingnailers.com or calling (304) 234-GOAL. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
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