WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced some personnel changes within the organization. The Nailers are welcoming in new staff members Kelly Clutter and Jared Degler, while wishing the best to Craig Bommer and Seamus McKelvey, who have each accepted new positions.
Clutter will serve as Vice President of Business Operations, as she begins her second stint with the Nailers. Kelly broke into professional sports in 2003, serving as the Director of Ticketing and Game Operations for the club. In 2008, the graduate of Marshall University and West Virginia University took her talents to the NFL, where she spent seven seasons working with the Atlanta Falcons and their facility, the Georgia Dome. There, she worked in three different fields - performing duties as an Account Executive, in Premium Sales, and as an Executive Services Director for the stadium. Clutter returns to Wheeling with her ten-month old son Hudson.
Degler takes over as the Athletic Trainer for the Nailers, after serving as an assistant with the Reading Royals, under the guidance of current Lehigh Valley Phantoms Athletic Trainer Brian Grogesky and Royals Equipment Manager Jason MacDonald. Jared attended Alvernia University, after growing up in the Reading area. This is Degler's first opportunity to work as the Head Athletic Trainer for a professional hockey team, as he trades in his purple and black for black and Vegas gold. Jared made his debut with the Nailers on October 15th.
Bommer has accepted a position as the Senior Vice President of Business & Marketing with iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia and the Nailers are already connected, as all Wheeling games are broadcast on The Mix 97.3, and the team's weekly radio show is aired on Fox Sports 1400. Craig spent parts of 14 seasons with the Nailers, starting in 2003-04, when he was a Corporate Partnership Executive. During his time in the organization, the Wheeling native performed in a variety of roles, culminating with his final title as Vice President of Business Operations. Bommer will remain in Wheeling with his wife Melissa and daughters Addyson and Avery.
McKelvey has climbed the ladder to the American Hockey League, as he joined the Providence Bruins as Assistant Athletic Trainer. Seamus was with the Nailers as their Athletic Trainer for two seasons, and becomes the second straight Wheeling Athletic Trainer to go to the AHL, joining Patrick Dragoone, who spent two seasons with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. This will be the Perkasie, Pennsylvania native's third team in professional hockey, as he served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2012-13. He then spent one year as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Neumann University. McKelvey attended East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree and a Master's of Science Degree, both in Athletic Training. Seamus and his wife Lanae got married this past summer, and the two will live together in Rhode Island.
The Wheeling Nailers are home for two games this weekend. On Friday night, Wheeling hosts Toledo at 7:05 on a Flat Screen Friday presented by The Highlands, as well as a Frosty Friday. Then, on Sunday, it's a 5:05 game against Kalamazoo on a Family Funday, with McDonald's $6 kids tickets and a post game skate with the team. The next celebrity appearance at WesBanco Arena will be Pittsburgh Pirates Night, starring Clint Hurdle on December 3rd. To purchase tickets, or to get more information on season tickets, mini plans, group tickets, and more, call the Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL.