WHEELING, W.Va. — The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced they are ending their affiliation with the Wheeling Nailers, bringing to a close one of the longest partnerships between an NHL and ECHL franchise.
In a statement released Thursday, the Penguins said the decision was made due to “very unique circumstances” and thanked the Nailers organization for nearly three decades of collaboration.
The affiliation began in 1997 and helped develop numerous players who advanced through the Penguins organization. The team highlighted Stanley Cup champion Tom Kuhnhackl, along with prospects Avery Hayes and Sergei Murashov, as players who spent time in Wheeling before moving up.
“The Nailers have run a first-class operation for many years, and any organization would be fortunate to have them as an affiliate,” Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas said.
Nailers President and Governor Brian Komorowski thanked the Penguins for their support over the years and said the organization has already begun discussions with other NHL teams about a new affiliation.
“We are thankful to the Pittsburgh Penguins for all of the hard work that they did in helping the Wheeling Nailers put a consistent winner on the ice for the past three decades,” Komorowski said. “We have already begun speaking with other NHL teams about our affiliation for the future.”
The Penguins’ decision ends a 29-year relationship that was among the longest-running NHL-ECHL affiliations in professional hockey. The Nailers are expected to announce a new NHL affiliate at a later date.
