Nailers Add Affiliation With Montreal

The Wheeling Nailers, proud members of the ECHL, announced today that they have entered into a minor league player affiliation agreement with the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) and Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) for the 2010-11 season.

The Montreal Canadiens, winners of 24 Stanley Cups, will begin their 102nd season in the NHL this fall. They are the longest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in the World and one of the oldest sports teams in all of North America. In 2009-10, the Canadiens qualified for the NHL Playoffs and advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Canadiens are led by General Manager Pierre Gauthier and Head Coach Jacques Martin.

The Canadiens’ minor league track record is equally impressive, especially in the ECHL. The Club’s ECHL affiliate has won the Kelly Cup Championship 2 of the last 3 years. Last year the Canadiens’ ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones, had a Conference high 44 wins during the regular season and went on to win the Kelly Cup in a thrilling 5 game series, with the Canadiens’ goaltender Robert Mayer sharing the MVP honors.

The Canadiens’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate is the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are celebrating their 15th consecutive season in the American Hockey League in 2010–11. Last season, Hamilton finished 1st in the North Division with a 52-17-3-8 record. Their season ended in a hard fought seven game series with the Texas Stars in the Western Conference Finals.

“The Montreal Canadiens have a storied history both in the NHL and the minor leagues, and we look forward to a successful partnership,” said Nailers President Jim Brooks. “We already have an incredible amount of enthusiasm for the coming season, and adding this affiliation really fuels the fire.”

"On behalf of the Canadiens organization, I would like to thank the Nailers for accepting to affiliate with us. We are looking forward to a strong and long lasting relationship." said Canadiens' General Manager Pierre Gauthier.

This is not the first time the Wheeling organization has been affiliated with the Montreal Canadiens. The Winston-Salem / Wheeling Thunderbirds had an nine year relationship with the Montreal Canadiens producing three Riley Cup finals appearances in 1989, 1990, and 1993 along with three Henry Brabham Cups for most regular season points in 1990, 1993, and 1995 and one ECHL championship in 1989.

The Wheeling Nailers will open their 19th season of professional hockey in the Ohio Valley on Friday October 15th against the Toledo Walleye.