Stern & Segalla Head to the AHL

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced two transactions, which both take effect immediately. The Nailers have loaned defenseman Brett Stern to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton also recalled defenseman Ryan Segalla.

Stern, 25, heads to the American Hockey League for the third time this season, all with the Penguins. Brett appeared in four games during January and two in February, while spending the rest of the campaign with the Nailers. Brett returned to Wheeling in time for Saturday's game against the Quad City Mallards, and the team went 2-1-0 with him in the lineup. The second year blueliner ranks third on the Nailers in defensive scoring, having amassed six goals, 18 assists, and 24 points in 45 games. Stern has served as the team captain in 2016-17, and has been a very popular player throughout his time in Wheeling, as he was named the Player's Player Award Winner and Fan Favorite Player of the Year Award Winner last season.

Segalla, 22, earns his first recall to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, having spent his entire rookie season with the Nailers. Ryan has appeared in 56 games, totaling three goals, seven assists, and ten points. The blueliner dished out an assist in his professional debut on October 15th against the Brampton Beast, then scored his first career goal exactly one month later on Education Day, which was also against Brampton. Nine of the Boston, Massachusetts native's ten points have come against teams currently in playoff positioning, including four against the league-leading Toledo Walleye. Prior to turning pro, Segalla played three years of college hockey at the University of Connecticut. He was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

The Nailers will continue their four-game road trip on Friday night, when they visit the Adirondack Thunder at 7:00. Wheeling will be home for three games next week on March 22nd, 24th, and 25th, all against the Idaho Steelheads. The 22nd is a WesBanco Winning Wednesday, the 24th is a Flat Screen Friday and Frosty Friday, and the 25th is Nailers Fight Cancer Night. Special jerseys will be worn, with proceeds going to the Team Ryan Charitable Foundation, there will be a team trading card set giveaway, and a post game autograph session with the entire squad, plus it will be Ladies Night. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.