Faceoff Factor

Wheeling Nailers/Johnstown Chiefs news for 9/30/08

Kim Conner | Minor Leagues (ECHL, AHL, etc)

Sep 30, 01:48 PM | Hype this story!

Wheeling Nailers News

Nailers Sign Grennier

The Wheeling Nailers have signed center Matt Grennier (press release). Grennier has played in the OHL and for the Wilfrid Lauier University Golden Hawks. In his five-year collegiate career, he amassed 42 goals, 76 assists and 172 penalty minutes in 127 games with the club.

Nailers Sign Two

The Nailers have signed forwards Erik Johnson and Mark Nebus (press release). Johnson will be in his third professional season, his first with the Nailers.

“Erik has tremendous speed and he can be trusted to play both ends of the ice,” said Nailers Head Coach Greg Puhalski.

Nebus comes to the Nailers from the International Hockey League. In 68 games last season, he wracked up 90 penalty minutes.

“Mark is a tenacious competitor who’s not afraid to mix it up,” said Puhalski.

Johnstown Chiefs News

Chiefs name new VP/GM

Bill Bredin, a former on-ice official for the ECHL, has been named the Chiefs new Vice President and General Manager (press release).

“I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to join the Chiefs organization and the Johnstown community. Considering the Chiefs brand is the most recognizable in minor league sports, fostering that into the future is a dream come true. I look forward to implementing our long-term vision of economic viability through enhanced community involvement, improved corporate relationships, and providing the ultimate family entertainment experience to our community,” said Bredin. “As a former ECHL on-ice official, I always looked forward to working in Johnstown where the passion of the fans was unmatched. Now, I’m thrilled, along with my family, to make Johnstown my home and become a member of the community for the long haul.”

Chiefs bring home Piro

In our feel-good story of the day, the Chiefs have signed Johnstown-native Josh Piro (Tribune Story) Piro, a graduate of Bishop McCort High School, played one game with the Chiefs late in the 02-03 season, and spent 38 games with the club in the 03-04 season. Since then, Piro has played for teams in the ECHL, UHL, and the Southern Professional League. Returning now as a five-year veteren, Piro is excited to be coming home.

“It just seems like this is the year to try to do it again. It was a great experience my rookie year, coming here and playing here. They have two NHL affiliates with Columbus and Colorado. I’m not a spring chicken anymore. It’s going to be my sixth full year. You’ve got 21- and 22-year-old guys champing at the bit and some NHL contract guys coming down. It’s going to be tough, but I want to try to play here again.”

“We’re excited to have Josh in camp. It’s nice to have a local product here,” said Coach Ian Herbers. “I’ve been talking to (Chiefs veterans) Randy Rowe and Jason Spence, and they say Josh has been training very hard this summer on and off the ice with both of them. I’ve heard stories from (former Johnstown coach/GM) Toby O’Brien about what Josh has done in the past. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does on the ice, personally.”