WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers are excited to announce their 22nd player signing of the 2026 offseason. Wheeling has signed forward Zach Bannister to an ECHL contract.
Bannister, 27, is set to begin his third full season in the ECHL, and the Nailers become his sixth team. Zach began his professional career in the spring of 2024, following the conclusion of his collegiate playing career. The forward distributed one assist in two games with the Norfolk Admirals, before joining the Adirondack Thunder that summer. Bannister split his rookie season between Adirondack and Indy, then played the majority of last season with the Reading Royals. 2025-26 was Zach's most productive campaign as a pro, as he amassed four goals, five assists, and nine points in 30 games. His best individual performance was a two-goal effort at Greensboro on February 7th. Overall, Bannister has appeared in 76 games with career totals of eight goals, seven assists, and 15 points.
Prior to turning pro, the Grande Prairie, Alberta native played four years of college hockey - three seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, then one year at Stevenson University (both Division III). Bannister's senior season at Stevenson in 2023-24 was his best individually, as he averaged just under one point per game with ten goals, 17 assists, and 27 points in 28 games. Those numbers helped him get named to the Second Team All-Conference in the MAC. Zach also enjoyed team success, as Wisconsin-Superior won a WIAC Championship in 2020-21. The forward finished his college career with 22 goals, 35 assists, and 57 points in 88 games.
Zach Bannister 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.
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