Wheeling Nailers Announce New ECHL Affiliation with Columbus Blue Jackets
The Wheeling Nailers and Columbus Blue Jackets have signed a new affiliation agreement set to begin in the 2026-27 season and run through 2027-28. This partnership designates the Nailers as the primary ECHL developmental affiliate for the Blue Jackets and…
Pittsburgh, PA, August 6, 2026 —
The Wheeling Nailers, an ECHL hockey team based in West Virginia, have entered into a new affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets. The multi-year deal is scheduled to commence with the 2026-27 ECHL season and extend through the 2027-28 season.
Under the terms of this new partnership, the Wheeling Nailers will serve as the primary ECHL developmental affiliate for both the Columbus Blue Jackets and their American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Cleveland Monsters. This relationship aims to foster player development and provide a clear pathway for talent progression within the Blue Jackets’ system.
This affiliation marks a significant shift for the Nailers, who have a long-standing history with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team maintained a 28-season affiliation with the Penguins, one of the longest in the ECHL. The details surrounding the end of the previous affiliation were not provided.
The agreement with the Blue Jackets is expected to create new opportunities for players within the Nailers organization to potentially advance to the AHL level with the Cleveland Monsters and subsequently to the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Story summarized from the original created by WPXI.com News Staff on www.wpxi.com, see more information here.
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