WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce that Garrett Meurs has been selected as Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week for the week of October 13-15.
Meurs, 24, had a tremendous first weekend for the Nailers, collecting four goals, two assists, and six points, as Wheeling swept a two-game road series against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Garrett got his offensive game going during the second period of Friday night's tilt, netting his first goal of the season to put the Nailers ahead 2-1, before adding a crucial marker in the final minute, sending the teams to intermission deadlocked, 3-3. On Saturday the fifth year forward saw his production increase. Meurs picked up a goal and an assist in the first period, scoring to tie the game, 2-2, then assisting on a Hunter Fejes tally for a 3-2 lead. In the third period, Garrett added another helper, when Fejes completed his hat trick to put Wheeling back on top, 5-4. However, the most significant goal of the weekend came at the 2:31 mark of overtime, when the Ripley, Ontario native potted the winning marker in a 7-6 triumph.
This is Garrett's second year with the Nailers, and he is coming off of a career season, as he registered 25 goals, 30 assists, and 55 points in 71 games during the 2016-17 campaign. The 25 goals were the second most on the team. Meurs and Fejes are tied for the ECHL's lead in goals this year, as both potted four during the season's opening weekend.
This is the second time that Meurs has been chosen as Sher-Wood ECHL Player of the Week in his career, as he earned the honor for the week of November 24-30, 2014, while he was a member of the Fort Wayne Komets. Last season, Christian Hilbrich was the lone Nailer to be selected as Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week. At least one Wheeling player has earned Player of the Week honors in five straight seasons.
On behalf of Meurs, a case of pucks will be donated to the Wheeling Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) by Sher-Wood Hockey, the exclusive puck supplier of the ECHL. Since beginning its sponsorship of the award in 2000-01, Sher-Wood Hockey has donated more than 37,000 pucks to youth hockey organizations in ECHL cities.
The Nailers will open their home season on Saturday, when they take on the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7:05. The party starts with a pregame fan fest at 4:00, featuring music from the band "Hit Play," as well as team introductions, refreshments, and activities for all. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, flex plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.