Kevin Schulze Named to 2016-17 All-ECHL Second Team

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are thrilled to announce that defenseman Kevin Schulze has been named to the 2016-17 All-ECHL Second Team.

Schulze, 23, earns league recognition for the second day in a row, after being named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team. Kevin added an assist to his season totals in Wednesday's game at Brampton, giving him 12 goals, 46 assists, and 58 points in 66 games. The 58 points rank second in the ECHL, trailing Matt Register, who has 63 points for the Colorado Eagles. The White Bear Lake, Minnesota native is one of four blueliners who have eclipsed the 50-point mark in the league this season, and he is the second Wheeling defender in as many years to reach 50 points, following Mathew Maione in 2015-16. Schulze's 46 assists are tied for the most in the league, along with Register and fellow Colorado Eagle Jake Marto. The former University of Wisconsin Badger first joined the Nailers at the end of the 2015-16 season, after completing his collegiate career.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment for Kevin Schulze, and we are extremely proud of him," said Nailers Head Coach Jeff Christian. "Kevin had a fantastic season for us, developing not only into one of the best rookies in the league, but one of the top players in the ECHL. He was a major part of our team this season, and we are excited to see him continue to grow and develop in his second year."

Kevin Schulze becomes the ninth player in Wheeling history to be selected to the All-ECHL Second Team, and the second in as many seasons, following Riley Brace in 2015-16. The last Nailers defenseman to be named to the All-ECHL Second Team was Mike Ratchuk in 2013-14. Schulze is the first Wheeling player to be named to the All-ECHL Second Team and the ECHL All-Rookie Team in the same season since Andrew Hotham in 2011-12. Kevin is joined on the 2016-17 All-ECHL Second Team by fellow defenseman Jake Marto (Colorado), forwards Shane Berschbach (Toledo), Brendan O'Donnell (Florida), and David Vallorani (Brampton), and goaltender Jake Paterson (Toledo). All-ECHL First Team selections were: goaltender Riley Gill (Allen), defensemen David Makowski (Allen) and Matt Register (Colorado), and forwards Chad Costello (Allen), Matt Garbowsky (Colorado), and Casey Pierro-Zabotel (Colorado).

The Nailers will play their final home game of the season on Friday night at 7:35, when they face the Kalamazoo Wings. Prizes will be given away throughout the game for Fan Appreciation Night, plus it's a Flat Screen Friday and Frosty Friday. Wheeling and Kalamazoo will close out the campaign the following night at Wings Event Center. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about 2017-18 season tickets, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.