Nailers Complete Future Considerations Trades

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have completed three trades involving future considerations. Wheeling has acquired defenseman Matt Stanisz from the Elmira Jackals, while sending Tyler Currier to the Wichita Thunder and CJ Garcia to the Colorado Eagles.

Stanisz, 27, was acquired by Wheeling from the Jackals, completing the trade that sent Kenton Miller to Elmira. Matt will be entering his third ECHL season, after playing his first two campaigns with the Jackals, Florida Everblades, and Indy Fuel. After compiling 18 points in 41 games as a rookie, the Burlington, Ontario native upped his production, collecting seven goals and 23 points in 60 contests. Prior to turning pro, Stanisz spent his entire amateur career in his home province of Ontario. He played five seasons of junior hockey with the OHL's Barrie Colts and Owen Sound Attack, before attending Carleton University for four years. His best season in the OHL took place in 2010-11, when he racked up 43 points with the Attack, while his sophomore year was his best with the Ravens, when he recorded 27 points.

Currier, 28, gets dealt to Wichita, completing the trade that originally brought Kenton Miller to Wheeling. Tyler was acquired by the Nailers from the Indy Fuel on December 17th, and went on to enjoy some of his best success as a pro. The Anchorage, Alaska native suited up in a Wheeling uniform 49 times, tallying 15 goals, 22 assists, and 37 points, giving him 20-28-48 totals for the year. Currier had two strong stretches with the Nailers, as he posted at least one point in six straight games during February, then accumulated at least one point in seven straight games during March. The March stretch started and ended with two-goal games, as Wheeling defeated Quad City 6-4 on the 11th and Idaho 4-1 on the 22nd. Tyler has played four seasons of professional hockey, spending time in the AHL, ECHL, and CHL.

Garcia, 21, gets dealt to Colorado, completing the trade that brought Mitch Holmberg to Wheeling. CJ joined the Nailers at the end of his junior hockey season, as he played in the final three games of the 2016-17 campaign, going scoreless, but posting a +2 rating. Prior to his time in Wheeling, the Pickering, Ontario native played five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, suiting up with the Barrie Colts, Guelph Storm, and Saginaw Spirit. Garcia's best seasons were his final two, when he put up 26 points in 2015-16 and 22 points in 2016-17.

The 2017-18 season of Wheeling Nailers Hockey will begin on the road, when the team visits Greenville for a two-game series on October 13th and 14th. The home opener takes place on October 21st, when the Nailers host the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:05. For more information, call (304) 234-GOAL.