WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced two transactions, which both take effect immediately. Wheeling has traded forward Josh Shalla to the Indy Fuel in exchange for forward Tyler Currier and future considerations. The Nailers also signed forward Andrew Miller to an ECHL contract.
Shalla, 25, was first acquired by Wheeling to complete a future considerations deal with the Toledo Walleye during the summer. Josh scored the first goal of the season for the Nailers, and went on to record ten goals, eight assists, and 18 points in 23 games. His most impressive performance came on October 29th, when he picked up three goals and five points in an 8-1 spanking of the Kalamazoo Wings at WesBanco Arena. The Oshawa, Ontario native is currently playing in his fifth season of professional hockey, and Indy will become his fourth ECHL team, as he previously suited up with the Cincinnati, Toledo, as well as Wheeling. Shalla has accumulated 87 goals, 90 assists, and 177 points in 241 career games between the AHL and ECHL.
Currier, 28, is currently playing in his fourth professional season, as he has opened the 2016-17 campaign with five goals, six assists, and 11 points in 24 games as a member of the Fuel. Tyler is coming off of his most productive year as a pro, as he led the Elmira Jackals with 21 goals last season, while finishing fifth on the squad with 35 points. He also earned the opportunity to play in two AHL contests - one with the Utica Comets and one with the Springfield Falcons. The forward had a goal and an assist in the game with the Falcons. The Anchorage, Alaska native has also played for his home town Aces in the ECHL, in addition to time spent with the Missouri Mavericks in both the ECHL and CHL. Currier attended the University of Alaska-Anchorage, where he tallied seven goals, eight assists, and 15 points in 103 games. As a pro, Tyler has appeared in 179 games, compiling 39 goals, 34 assists, and 73 points.
Miller, 25, is a rookie, who has played in four games with the Alaska Aces this season, after appearing in two contests last year with the AHL's Binghamton Senators. Prior to turning pro, Andrew attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he majored in Business Management, while playing for the Tigers. On the ice, the West Dundee, Illinois was a reliable player, who appeared in over 30 games in each of the four seasons. He had his highest goal output as a junior (8), while his highest point total (11) came during his senior year. Miller registered 14 goals, 18 assists, and 32 points in 136 games. Andrew also spent two seasons in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers and Chicago Steel.
Tyler Currier and Andrew Miller are both expected to be in the lineup on Saturday night, when the Nailers travel to Fort Wayne on Saturday to face the Komets at 7:30. Wheeling will then return home for two more games before the holidays. Tuesday is a 7:05 tilt against the Manchester Monarchs, and McDonald's presents $6 kids tickets. On Thursday at 7:05, fans can wear an ugly sweater to the game and get an $11 ticket, as Wheeling battles the Cincinnati Cyclones. Later this month, fans will be able to get $10 tickets for Throwback Night on New Year's Eve, when the Nailers wear Thunderbirds jerseys in their game against the Elmira Jackals. Holiday packs are currently available, and may be purchased through the Nailers office only. The 12 Days of Christmas are taking place now. Keep tabs on the team's social media networks to learn about that day's special. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, mini plans, group tickets, packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.