The Blue Jackets now have an ECHL affiliation, announcing Aug. 6 that a two-year agreement with the Wheeling Nailers will start with the upcoming season.
More coverage: Hockey fans, internet react to Blue Jackets radio broadcast changes
Adding the Nailers gives the Jackets a second developmental team, and being in Wheeling, West Virginia, it's a relatively short driving distance from Columbus and Cleveland, where the AHL's Monsters reside.
"Wheeling has a long tradition of both player development and organizational success, and its proximity to both Cleveland and Columbus will be advantageous on the hockey side, while providing a great opportunity to promote our organization and the game throughout the region," Blue Jackets **** istant general manager/Cleveland Monsters GM Chris Clark said in a statement.
The Nailers, who were the Pittsburgh Penguins' ECHL affiliate from 1998-2026, will compete in the ECHL's Western Conference Central Division with the Bloomington Bison, Cincinnati Cyclones, Fort Wayne Komets, Indy Fuel, Kalamazoo Wings and Toledo Walleye.
#jackets #echl #hockey
More coverage: Hockey fans, internet react to Blue Jackets radio broadcast changes
Adding the Nailers gives the Jackets a second developmental team, and being in Wheeling, West Virginia, it's a relatively short driving distance from Columbus and Cleveland, where the AHL's Monsters reside.
"Wheeling has a long tradition of both player development and organizational success, and its proximity to both Cleveland and Columbus will be advantageous on the hockey side, while providing a great opportunity to promote our organization and the game throughout the region," Blue Jackets **** istant general manager/Cleveland Monsters GM Chris Clark said in a statement.
The Nailers, who were the Pittsburgh Penguins' ECHL affiliate from 1998-2026, will compete in the ECHL's Western Conference Central Division with the Bloomington Bison, Cincinnati Cyclones, Fort Wayne Komets, Indy Fuel, Kalamazoo Wings and Toledo Walleye.
#jackets #echl #hockey
3 months ago
