WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers are excited to announce their 12th player signing of the 2026 offseason. Wheeling has signed forward Chris Dodero to an ECHL contract.

Dodero, 30, is set to begin his fifth professional season and third in the ECHL. Chris began his professional career in 2022-23 in the ICE Hockey League with HK Olimpija Ljubljana. There, he racked up 30 points in 39 games and won a Slovenian Championship. The forward spent one more season in Europe, as he played for the ICE Hockey League's Graz 99ers and DEL2's Starsbulls Rosenheim during the 2023-24 campaign.

Dodero began his ECHL career in 2024-25, when he signed with the Tahoe Knight Monsters. All three of Chris' goals in a Tahoe uniform came in the same game, as he netted his first career hat trick in North America in a 7-3 win at Idaho. In December of that season, the forward was traded to the Cincinnati Cyclones, where he played for current Nailers Associate Coach Jason Payne. Dodero tallied 18 points in 39 games with the Cyclones, and Cincinnati went 18-14-7 with him in the lineup, following a 4-15-4 start prior to his arrival. Last summer, Chris was traded to the Idaho Steelheads, where he went on to have an even better season. He produced 27 points and a +11 rating in 52 games, and helped the Steelheads qualify for the Kelly Cup Playoffs, as the team earned 91 points.

Prior to turning pro, the Bloomingdale, Illinois native played five seasons of college hockey at American International College from 2017-22. Dodero accumulated 26 goals, 45 assists, and 71 points in 134 career games at AIC, and his best season came in 2021-22, when he finished tied for third on the Yellow Jackets in scoring with 29 points. AIC won four regular season conference championships and three conference tournament championships during Chris' time there. He was named to Atlantic Hockey's All-Tournament Team in 2022 with three goals and three assists in four games, which included two goals and two assists in the championship victory over Air Force.

Last season, Chris got the opportunity to be teammates with his older brother Charlie, as the two skated together with the Steelheads. Chris and Charlie also have a younger brother, Chad, which gives them one brother at each position. Chris is a forward, Charlie is a defenseman, and Chad is a goaltender.

Chris Dodero and the Wheeling Nailers will begin the 2026-27 season in Indy on Friday, October 16th. The first home game is Saturday, October 24th against the Toledo Walleye. For information about season tickets, group tickets, ticket packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com. 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.