WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have announced two transactions, which both take effect immediately. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have loaned goaltender Maxim Pavlenko and defenseman David Breazeale to Wheeling.
Pavlenko, 23, will be making his North American professional debut this season, after playing the last two years in Russia's VHL with Ryazan-VDV. Maxim posted a sub-3.00 goals against average and a save percentage over .900 in both campaigns. This summer, Pavlenko was the starting goaltender for Team Kazakhstan at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, and he was honored as a top three player on his team. Maxim's best performance was a 30-save effort in a 2-1 victory over Norway. The Aksu, Kazakhstan native also suited up for his home country in the Asian Winter Games, which saw Kazakhstan earn a gold medal.
Breazeale, 25, made his professional debut in the spring, when he appeared in two games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Prior to turning pro, David played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Maine, and served as the team's captain during his junior and senior seasons. The Grandville, Michigan native appeared in 144 career NCAA contests, and recorded eight goals, 43 assists, 51 points, and 42 penalty minutes. Breazeale's best season came as a senior in 2024-25, when he accumulated 13 points and a +15 rating. David capped off that year by being named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team, as the Black Bears won their first Hockey East Tournament Championship since 2004.
The Nailers will play their lone preseason game on Saturday night at 7:00, when they face the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the Diamond Anniversary Pro Classic at Johnstown's 1st SUMMIT ARENA. The regular season opener is Saturday, October 18th at Cincinnati, and the home opener is Saturday, November 1st against Norfolk, starring Grace Good from America's Got Talent. Season memberships and other terrific ticket plans for the 2025-26 season are available now by calling (304) 234-GOAL. 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.
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