WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced three transactions, which all take effect immediately. Two players have gone to the American Hockey League, as forward Cody Wydo was recalled to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, while forward Freddie Tiffels was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton by Pittsburgh. Additionally, the Nailers have signed forward Colin Murray.
Wydo, 26, has been the leading scorer for the Nailers this season, piling up 13 goals, 17 assists, and 30 points in 26 games. Cody got the year started on the right foot with a three-point game in Greenville on opening night, and has followed that performance with eight multi-point games, including a pair of two-goal games in wins over Adirondack on November 14th and Reading on November 26th. The third year pro out of Robert Morris University has also reached a couple of milestones, appearing in his 150th professional game on November 10th, while taking over sole possession of seventh place in team history with 67 career goals. Last season, Wydo played in three games with the AHL Penguins, scoring one goal.
Tiffels, 22, has spent the majority of December with the Nailers, as he continues his rookie season. Freddie has collected at least one point in nine of his 15 games with Wheeling, including a career-best three-point day on November 14th against Adirondack. The Cologne, Germany native scored his first professional goal on November 11th in Toledo, and later that month, netted his first AHL goal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the 25th. Tiffels was involved in a milestone play for the Nailers, as his goal on December 12th against Indy was the 6,000th in club history.
Murray, 28, is playing in his fourth professional season, with the majority of that time being spent in the ECHL. After attending Castleton State College for four years, Colin broke into the pro game during the 2014-15 campaign, tallying two goals in six games with the Kalamazoo Wings, before finishing the year with 16 points in 52 contests with the Evansville IceMen. The Oshawa, Ontario native returned to Kalamazoo the following year, and has since played for Brampton, Indy, Elmira, and Greenville, totaling 21 goals, 15 assists, and 36 points in 119 career ECHL matches. This season, Murray has appeared in 14 games for the SPHL's Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs, compiling five goals, two assists, and seven points.
The Nailers will play two home games before the holidays this weekend. First, on Friday at 7:05, it's an Ugly Sweater Party. Any fan that wears an ugly sweater to the game will receive a buy one, get one free ticket voucher for a future game. Plus, there will be a contest to determine which fan is wearing the ugliest sweater. Then, on Saturday at 7:05, Santa Claus will be in town, making his final preparations for the big night. Both games will be played against the Brampton Beast. The next big promotional game takes place on January 13th, which is Bricks & Kids Night. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, flex plans, group tickets, holiday packs, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.