Nailers Sign Abt & Tirone, Receive Spinozzi from AHL

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced three transactions, which all take effect immediately. Wheeling has signed defenseman Matt Abt and goaltender Danny Tirone, while receiving defenseman Kevin Spinozzi from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Abt, 24, comes to the Nailers after completing his college hockey career at R.I.T., where he suited up with the Tigers for four seasons. Matt appeared in 139 games at the NCAA level, accumulating 14 goals, 40 assists, 54 points, and 210 penalty minutes. The Leduc, Alberta native is coming off of his most productive campaign, as he produced six goals and 19 points in 37 matches this season. He has also had a physical edge to his game, eclipsing 100 penalty minutes four times between college and junior hockey. Matt's older brother Jordan currently plays for the Norfolk Admirals.

Tirone, 23, has just finished off his four-year collegiate career at the University of New Hampshire, and is ready to make the jump into the pros. Danny served as the number one goaltender for the Wildcats in three of his four seasons, while splitting the workload during his freshman year. The Trumbull, Connecticut native backstopped 48 victories during his time in the Granite State, with his career high of 15 coming last year as a junior. Fans of the organization got their first look at Tirone this past summer, when he attended Pittsburgh Penguins Development Camp.

Spinozzi, 21, is a rookie who has appeared in 16 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. During that time, he has collected two assists, while playing a defensive style on the blueline. Prior to turning pro, the Granby, Quebec native played five years of junior hockey in the OHL, suiting up with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Sarnia Sting. Kevin's best season with the Sting was last year, when he reached double digits in goals, tallying 13 of them, to go along with 28 assists for a total of 41 points in 58 games.

The Nailers will continue their homestand with a two-game set against the Reading Royals on Friday and Saturday, with both games starting at 7:05. Friday will be Ladies Night, featuring a pregame wine tasting event. Saturday is Pittsburgh Penguins Night, in which fans can see the Stanley Cup, the first 2,500 fans will receive a Carter Rowney Bobblehead, and the Nailers will wear special jerseys. To purchase tickets, or to get more information about season tickets, flex plans, group tickets, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.