Nailers Sign Ruslan Rakhmatov

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced a transaction, which takes effect immediately. Wheeling has signed defenseman Ruslan Rakhmatov to an ECHL contract.

Rakhmatov, 24, is set to begin his professional career, after playing three years of college hockey at Sacred Heart University. Ruslan accumulated seven goals, 34 assists, 41 points, and 279 penalty minutes in 98 career games with the Pioneers, with his best season coming as a sophomore, when he led the team in defensive scoring with 19 points. Prior to turning pro, the Moscow, Russia native played four years of junior hockey in North America, as he spent time in the USHL, NAHL, and EJHL. He registered double-digit points twice and triple-digit penalty minutes three times. Rakhmatov was teammates with Alec Butcher at Sacred Heart.

The Nailers will visit the Reading Royals on Friday night at 7:00, before returning home for Nickelodeon Night on Saturday at 7:05 against the Fort Wayne Komets. As part of Nickelodeon Night, Wheeling will wear specialty jerseys, plus fans can meet Mikey & Raph from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Friends & Family 4 Pack is available for that game, in which fans can get four tickets, four Tito's Sloppy Doggs and a $10 voucher to the team shop for $52. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. For information on season tickets, group tickets, partial plans, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL.