Nailers' Young Guns Leading The Charge

There’s typically a delicate balance between allowing a young player to learn at the pro hockey level and maintaining the high expectations that come with winning. The Wheeling Nailers are a recent example of a team that can successfully do both.

In 2023-24, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ ECHL affiliate finished third in the Central Division and advanced to the Division Finals. The Nailers were the third-youngest team in the league at 24.62 years, per Elite Prospects.

Through 36 games this season, the Nailers have the ECHL’s best record at 26-8-2 for 54 points. They also boast the youngest roster at 24.39 years.

Striking that balance is challenging, to be sure. Nailers head coach Derek Army believes winning is actually the biggest key to a player’s development.

“I don’t think you can develop without playing in an environment where winning is the ultimate focus,” said Army, who became an assistant with the Nailers in 2020-21 before being promoted to head coach later that season. “It’s great to do a lot of skill work and video, but I don’t think you’re able to fully develop unless you’re in a hard, tough situation. For us, it’s trying to put those guys in situations like in practice or in games. The expectation is still to win. That’s when you’ve gotta produce.”

The proof is certainly in the numbers. Through Jan. 21, rookie forward Atley Calvert (35 points) and second-year forward Matty De St. Phalle (34 points) are among the ECHL’s top 25 points leaders.

Calvert leads the Nailers in points, power-play goals (6), and is second on the team in both goals (13) and assists (22).

Second-year forward Kyle Jackson leads the club in goals (15), and is tied for third in points (32). Rookie Jack Beck is the Nailers’ leader in assists (25) and is tied with Jackson for third in points. De St. Phalle leads in shots with 97.

The ‘Kid Line’ of Jackson, Beck and De St. Phalle have teamed up with Calvert to create one of the deepest and most talented top-four forward combinations in the league. It’s difficult to single out one skater among this young core, but Calvert stands out in several categories.

The 6-foot, 194-pound Moose Jaw native can play anywhere in the lineup. He’s deceptive, often able to effectively sneak the puck through defenders.

“He’s a guy who plays big, plays like a power forward,” Army said of Calvert. “He’s played everywhere in the lineup. He’s our first (penalty-killer), he’s on the first power-play, he takes faceoffs.”

Wheeling’s goaltending has been outstanding this season, thanks to Sergei Murashov. Drafted by the Penguins in the fourth round (118^th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, the 20-year-old native of Russia is tied for second in the ECHL in wins with 15.

While this is Murashov’s fourth pro season, it’s his first in North America. He earned ECHL Rookie of the Month honors last November and set a new team record with 13 consecutive victories.

“He can go as far as he wants to go,” Army said of Murashov. “Not only is he a 20-year-old kid from Russia, he taught himself English last year. Alone, his English is impressive. He is invested wholeheartedly here. He loves the community, he loves being in Wheeling.”

Of course, all clubs need veteran leadership to guide a young group through the grind of a long season. Forwards Matt Koopman and David Jankowski work with the younger players on taking care of their bodies, even running bike classes to stress the importance of conditioning. Defenseman Louie Roehl is a quiet leader who knows how to push his teammates without being overly vocal.

Each season is different, not just in the constant turnover but style of play. Last year, the Nailers emphasize size and strength. This season’s squad plays a faster game with above-average skating ability.

Army, who played parts of five seasons with the Nailers that included a trip to the 2015-16 Kelly Cup Final, can see some parallels between this team and others he’s played for in the past.

“There were a few players on those teams that ended up playing in the NHL that could really play with some pace and score,” recalled Army, who also played 97 games with six different teams in the AHL. “When I played in Tucson a few years ago, we had a really young team. You could see the hunger every day, guys wanted to get better. (This team) is similar to that.”

The Nailers finished their best first half of a season in team history, but there is still a lot of hockey left. Army knows that in order to keep the momentum, every player must be tested daily.

“Each day is (about) finding the ability to experience a hard moment,” Army said. “That way, we’re battle-hardened whenever the playoffs come. There’s going to be lots of ups and downs. For me, it’s staying positive with all these young guys.”