WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced three transactions, which all take effect immediately. Pittsburgh has assigned goaltender Sean Maguire to Wheeling. In a separate move, the Nailers have traded goaltender JP Anderson to the Adirondack Thunder in exchange for future considerations. Additionally, Derek Army has returned to Wheeling, after a brief stint with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Maguire, 23, was originally selected by the Penguins with the 113th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, which took place at the facility now known as PPG Paints Arena. Prior to being drafted, Sean played two seasons of junior hockey with the BCHL's Powell River Kings, compiling a 27-15-1 record in 46 appearances. The Powell River, British Columbia native then took his talents to the opposite coast, as he began his college career at Boston University, where he majored in American & New England Studies. On the ice, Maguire posted a winning record in two of his three seasons with the Terriers. Sean kept his goals against average under 3.00 and his save percentage over .910 in all three campaigns, while earning 13 victories on two separate occasions. He made one relief appearance for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season, stopping four Hershey Bears shots in 13:14 of action, before coming up short in a shootout.
Anderson, 24, is currently playing in his fourth professional season, after coming out of the Ontario Hockey League. JP spent parts of two seasons with the Nailers, as he went 6-2-2 in ten starts with the club. The Toronto, Ontario native won each of his first four starts in 2016-17, including a 24-save shutout against the Kalamazoo Wings on November 6th - the second of his pro career. Anderson was also in the crease for both games during Wheeling's two-game weekend sweep over the Quad City Mallards. In addition to his time with the Nailers, JP has played professionally for the Allen Americans, Ontario Reign, and San Francisco Bulls in the ECHL, as well as the Worcester Sharks in the AHL. He has 19 career victories.
Army, 25, appeared in one game with the Milwaukee Admirals, as he picked up an assist and a minor penalty in a 4-1 Admirals victory over the Cleveland Monsters at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday night. Derek recorded three points over the weekend, as he had a two-goal game on Friday with the Nailers against Utah. The North Kingstown, Rhode Island native is playing in his third full professional season, and has accumulated 50 goals, 64 assists, and 114 points. His most productive year came in 2014-15, when he led Wheeling with 29 goals. Army has now played for five different AHL teams.
Sean Maguire, Derek Army, and the Wheeling Nailers will head out on the road for two games against the Brampton Beast on Friday and Sunday. Wheeling's next home game takes place on December 14th, when McDonald's presents $6 kids tickets for the contest against the Orlando Solar Bears. 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. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, mini plans, group tickets, packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.