Wheeling Nailers pen new affiliation agreement with Columbus Blue Jackets

WHEELING, W.Va. — The Columbus Blue Jackets and Wheeling Nailers announced an affiliation agreement Thursday that extends through the 2027-28 season.

The two-year deal establishes the Nailers as the ECHL affiliate for both the Blue Jackets and the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League.

Columbus Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell confirmed the partnership, which is scheduled to begin with the 2026-27 campaign.

The arrangement designates the Nailers as the primary ECHL developmental partner for the organization’s professional prospects.

The Nailers have operated in West Virginia since 1992 and spent the last 28 seasons as the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins. That partnership, which spanned from 1998 to 2026, concludes as the club prepares to join the Blue Jackets’ system.

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Following the shift, the Nailers will compete in the ECHL’s Western Conference Central Division alongside the Bloomington Bison, Cincinnati Cyclones, Fort Wayne Komets, Indy Fuel, Kalamazoo Wings and Toledo Walleye.

Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris Clark oversaw the hockey operations for the organization’s professional affiliates during the agreement process. Clark highlighted the geographic benefits of the new partnership.

“We are excited to partner with the Wheeling Nailers as our new ECHL affiliate,” Clark said. “Wheeling has a long tradition of both player development and organizational success and its proximity to both Cleveland and Columbus will be advantageous on the hockey side, while providing a great opportunity to promote our organization and the game throughout the region.”

The club plays its home games at WesBanco Arena and has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs 18 times.

During the 2025-26 season, the Nailers won the North Division title with a record of 46-20-three-3, earning 98 points.

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