WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, have announced a series of roster moves, effective immediately. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have assigned seven players to Wheeling - goaltender Patrick Killeen, defenseman Reid McNeill, and forwards Cody Chupp, Tom Kuhnhackl, Adam Payerl, Dominik Uher, and Scott Zurevinski. In a separate transaction, the Hamilton Bulldogs assigned forward Philippe Lefebvre to the Nailers.

Killeen, 22, returns for his third full season with the Nailers, after teaming with Peter Delmas, in leading the club to back-to-back postseason appearances. Patrick's journey to the pros began with the OHL's Brampton Battalion, where he spent parts of four seasons, ultimately leading to his selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins. While with the Battalion, Killeen appeared in 139 games, going 63-48-17. In 76 career games with the Nailers, the Carp, ON native has posted a 38-28-6 mark, while also earning the opportunity to play in seven games with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he has a 2-2 record.

McNeill, 20, will be making his professional debut this season, after spending each of the last three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League. Reid made his way into the organization in 2010, when the Penguins selected him in the sixth round (170th overall) of the NHL Entry Draft. The London, ON native played two seasons for his hometown London Knights, and one season with the Barrie Colts, totaling seven goals, 16 assists, 23 points, and 162 penalty minutes in 166 games.

Chupp, 27, is entering his second season in the Penguins' organization, after splitting the 2011-12 campaign between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Wheeling. Prior to turning pro, Cody spent one season in the NAHL and two in the USHL, on his way to attending Ferris State University for four years, where he majored in Elementary Education. In 144 games with his hometown Bulldogs, the Big Rapids, MI native tallied 35 goals, 60 assists, and 95 points. Following graduation, Chupp joined the AHL's Texas Stars, where he notched five goals and 15 points in 67 games over parts of two seasons. Last season with Wheeling, Cody appeared in 43 contests, racking up 17 goals, 17 assists, and 34 points.

Kuhnhackl, 20, will be making his professional debut this season, after spending each of the last two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League. Tom made his way into the organization in 2010, when the Penguins selected him in the fourth round (110th overall) of the NHL Entry Draft. The Landshut, Germany native made his debut in North America in 2010, when he joined the Windsor Spitfires. In 63 games that winter, Kuhnhackl put up 39 goals, 29 assists, and 68 points. In 97 career OHL games with Windsor and the Niagara IceDogs, Tom finished with totals of 47 goals, 40 assists, and 87 points.

Payerl, 21, had a brief introduction to professional hockey last spring, when he dished out one assist in two games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Prior to signing with the club, Adam spent five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, playing with the Barrie Colts and Belleville Bulls. Over the course of those five seasons, the Kitchener, ON native appeared in 306 games, amassing 60 goals, 83 assists, and 143 points. Payerl's most productive season was 2011-12 with Bulls, when he had 22 goals and 47 points.

Uher, 19, will be making his professional debut this season, after spending each of the last three seasons with the Western Hockey League's Spokane Chiefs. Dominik made his way into the organization in 2011, when the Penguins selected him in the fifth round (144th overall) of the NHL Entry Draft. The Frydek-Mistek, Czech Republic native appeared in 181 games with the Chiefs, accumulating 58 goals, 86 assists, and 144 points. Uher's most productive season came in 2011-12, when he produced 33 goals and 68 points.

Zurevinski, 24, had a brief introduction to professional hockey last spring, when he appeared in eight regular season games with the AHL's St. John's IceCaps. Prior to turning pro, Scott spent two seasons with the BCHL's Vernon Vipers, on his way to attending Quinnipiac University for four years, where appeared in 155 games, recording 46 goals, 46 assists, and 92 points. The Saskatoon, SK native's most productive season was his sophomore campaign, when he had 16 goals and 30 points.

Lefebvre, 21, made his professional debut last season, when he played in 69 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Prior to turning pro, Philippe spent four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, with the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Montreal Junior. During his four year junior career, the Trois-Rivieres, QC native appeared in 256 games, registering 76 goals, 98 assists, and 174 points, while also winning a President's Cup in 2009, under the tutelage of current Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Guy Boucher. In 2011-12 with the Bulldogs, Lefebvre potted five goals, six assists, and 11 points.

The Nailers and Cincinnati Cyclones will open the season at US Bank Arena on Saturday night, with face-off scheduled for 7:35. Wheeling will open the season with four straight road games, before returning home on October 26th, for the first of two games against the Reading Royals.  Nailers 2012-13 Ticket Packages are on sale now. Packages start at just $7.50 per game. Call 304-234-GOAL or wheelingnailers.com for more information.

CINCINNATI, OH- Chris Barton and Matt Schepke showed some early chemistry on Friday night, as both players picked up a goal and an assist. However, the Cincinnati Cyclones came out on top, as Mathieu Aubin broke a 2-2 tie with 10:07 left in the second period, giving the home team a 3-2 victory at US Bank Arena. Special teams were also key in the contest, as Cincinnati's penalty kill was perfect on ten chances.

The Cyclones opened the scoring at the 1:21 mark, courtesy of a power play goal. After Michael Chiasson was whistled for playing the puck outside of the trapezoid, Maury Edwards took a shot from the middle of the blueline that was deflected into the goal by Dan Eves' body. Eves' marker was assisted by Edwards and Mathieu Aubin. With 7:08 remaining in the first period, the Nailers evened the score. Ben Farrer laid the body against Mike Liambas in front of the Cincinnati bench, freeing the puck for Matt Schepke, who set up Chris Barton for a one-timed goal from the slot.

Schepke and Barton connected again in the first minute of the second period. As Wheeling's power play was coming to its conclusion, Barton took a shot from the left side that was turned aside by Zoltan Hetenyi. However, the rebound kicked out to Schepke, who slammed it in, putting the visitors on top. However, the lead lasted for just under four minutes, as Cincinnati tied the game. Mathew Sisca spotted Cory McGillis coming out of the penalty box, who proceeded to cruise down the right side of the ice, slipping a shot through Chiasson's legs. Shortly before the midway mark of regulation, the Cyclones retook the lead. Maury Edwards dropped a pass into the left face-off circle for Mathieu Aubin, who spun a deflection into the cage.

The Nailers had four power play opportunities in the third period, as they attempted to force overtime, but came up empty, as the Cyclones prevailed by the final score of 3-2.

Zoltan Hetenyi earned the win in goal for Cincinnati, stopping 17 of the 19 shots he faced. Michael Chiasson suffered the loss for Wheeling, allowing three goals on nine shots, before giving way to Matt Tendler, who rejected all ten shots sent his way.

The Nailers and Cyclones will do battle again on Sunday afternoon, with a 2:00 face-off scheduled at WesBanco Arena. Nailers 2012-13 Ticket Packages are on sale now. Packages start at just $7.50 per game. Call 304-234-GOAL or wheelingnailers.com for more information.

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers had their offense on full display on Sunday afternoon, as they played host to the Cincinnati Cyclones at WesBanco Arena. 14 of the 16 skaters that Wheeling dressed recorded at least one point, including Cam Fergus and Ryan Maunu, who each lit the lamp twice. The Nailers dented the twine six times in the second period, blowing past the Cyclones, 9-4.

Cincinnati had the lone goal of the opening period. Mike Embach led an odd-man rush for the Cyclones, ultimately setting up Alex Bourret for a one-timer in the slot. Bourret's initial chance rang off of the right post, before bouncing out to Blake Gallagher, who gave the visitors the lead entering the intermission.

The second period was completely dominated by the Nailers. Ben Farrer knotted the score at the 1:34 mark, as he received a pass from Matt Schepke, before deking around the defense and the goaltender. 1:43 later, Chris Barton gave Wheeling the lead, when he picked up a loose puck at the left point, and snapped it into the top corner. Scooter Vaughan added to the lead 1:42 after that, when he took a feed from Jordy Trottier, broke up the left side, and scored from the circle. Vaughan and Trottier set up the fourth goal as well, which was netted by Ryan Maunu, on a rebound at the top of the crease. Cam Fergus and Paul Cianfrini added power play goals with shots from the point, as Wheeling took a 6-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.

The scoring continued at a rapid rate in the third period, as both teams got on the scoreboard three times. Cam Fergus opened the third period scoring with his second goal of the game, which was followed by tallies from Cincinnati's Alex Penner and Blake Gallagher. Zack Torquato and Ryan Maunu finished off the Nailers' scoring, which ended the afternoon with nine goals. With nine seconds remaining, Kenny Bradford netted the Cyclones' final marker of the day, as Wheeling came out on top, 9-4.

Scott Darling picked up the win in goal for the Nailers, making 13 saves on 14 shots, before being relieved by Michael Chiasson, who stopped 14 of the 17 shots he faced. Zoltan Hetenyi took the loss for Cincinnati, allowing five goals on 12 shots, before being replaced by Stephane Cesar, who let in four goals on 26 shots.

The Nailers and Cyclones will open the season at US Bank Arena on Saturday night, with face-off scheduled for 7:35. Wheeling will open the season with four straight road games, before returning home on October 26th, for the first of two games against the Reading Royals.  Nailers 2012-13 Ticket Packages are on sale now. Packages start at just $7.50 per game. Call 304-234-GOAL or wheelingnailers.com for more information.