Pittsburgh Penguins end 29-year affiliation with Wheeling Nailers
The Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday announced they would end their nearly three-decade affiliation with the Wheeling Nailers. The move comes after the team was sold to the Hoffmann family of Florida, the current owners of the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.
“The Penguins are grateful to the Wheeling Nailers for being a tremendous partner as our ECHL affiliate over the last 29 years. It is only because of very unique circumstances that we must say goodbye at this time,” Kyle Dubas, the Penguins’ president of hockey operations and general manager, said Thursday afternoon. “For nearly three decades, the Nailers have been an invaluable part of the organization’s player development process. The Nailers constant dedication to working with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and our player development staff have delivered countless players that have impacted our organization.
“The Penguins are also incredibly appreciative of everything the Nailers organization, its staff, and fans have meant to the development of our players. From Stanley Cup champions like Tom Kuhnhackl, to rising talents like Avery Hayes and Sergei Murashov, so many players started their professional career in Wheeling and went on to make an impact in Pittsburgh and throughout the NHL.
“The Nailers have run a first-class operation for many years, and any organization would be fortunate to have them as an affiliate. We would like to give Brian Komorowski, the entire Nailers staff, the great fans of Wheeling and the entire Wheeling community our deepest thanks for all that they have done for the Pittsburgh Penguins. We wish the city of Wheeling, the Nailers and all of their fans continued success as a great ECHL franchise.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Wheeling.”
The new owners announced several weeks ago their intention to have the Everblades be the Penguins ECHL affiliate.
An official with the Nailers said the team plans to release a statement later this afternoon.