WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced two transactions, which takes effect immediately. Pittsburgh has reassigned goaltender Sean Maguire to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Additionally, Wheeling has signed goaltender Will King to an ECHL contract.
Maguire, 24, is playing in his second professional season - the majority of which has been spent in Wheeling. Sean is coming off of a solid month of November, as he went 6-2-0 with one no-decision in nine starts between the pipes. His first win of the month was perhaps his best, as he stopped 41 of 42 shots in a 5-1 win against the Indy Fuel. The Powell River, British Columbia also surrendered only one goal in his final start in November, when he turned aside 32 of 33 shots in a 5-1 victory against the Reading Royals. Maguire is 8-3-0 overall this season, with a 3.28 goals against average, and a .910 save percentage. He has made at least 30 saves in seven of his eight wins, while topping 40 on two occasions. Sean has 22 wins in his Wheeling career, while also appearing in two games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
King, 23, has appeared in three games with the Nailers this season, going 1-1-1. The Valencia, Pennsylvania native made his ECHL debut on November 3rd, and helped Wheeling earn a point in a 4-3 overtime defeat against the Cincinnati Cyclones. On November 12th, Will made his first career start, and earned the victory as well as the first star of the game, stopping 39 of 42 shots in a 5-3 decision against the Norfolk Admirals.
When the move was originally made to bring Maguire up to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Penguins released fellow goaltender Colin Stevens from his PTO, meaning he was on his way to Wheeling. Since then, Stevens has been signed to another PTO with the AHL Penguins. Stevens went 2-0-1 for the Nailers at the beginning of the season, but has yet to appear in a game for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The Nailers will play three games at home this weekend, beginning with a Frosty Friday at 7:05 against the Reading Royals. Saturday is also a 7:05 tilt against the Royals on Star Wars Night. Wheeling will wear special jerseys, the first 2,500 fans will receive a free light saber, and all fans will get to meet characters. Sunday is Family Funday, featuring a post game skate with the team (even-numbered players), as well as Pups & Pucks, in which fans can bring their dogs to the game. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, flex plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.