WHEELING, W.Va. (AVC News) — The Pittsburgh Penguins and Wheeling Nailers have officially ended one of the longest affiliations in professional hockey after 29 seasons together.
Both organizations announced Thursday that the partnership is coming to a close ahead of the 2026-27 season.
In a statement, Wheeling Nailers President and Governor Brian Komorowski thanked the Penguins for nearly three decades of support in helping build a successful ECHL franchise.
“We are thankful to the Pittsburgh Penguins for all of the hard work that they did in helping the Wheeling Nailers put a consistent winner on the ice for the past three decades,” Komorowski said.
He also thanked Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas, Assistant General Manager Jason Spezza, Amanda Kessel and the club’s hockey operations staff for their support over the years.
Komorowski said the Nailers understand the business decision, citing the Hoffmann Family of Companies’ ownership of both the Penguins and the Florida Everblades. He added that Wheeling has already begun discussions with other NHL teams about a future affiliation.
The Penguins also expressed gratitude to the Nailers organization, calling Wheeling “an invaluable part” of the team’s player development system for nearly three decades.
“It is only because of very unique circumstances that we must say goodbye at this time,” Dubas said in a statement.
The organization credited the Nailers with helping develop numerous players who went on to reach the NHL, including Stanley Cup champion Tom Kühnhackl, as well as more recent prospects Avery Hayes and Sergei Murashov.
The Penguins also thanked the Nailers’ staff, fans and the Wheeling community, saying any NHL organization “would be fortunate to have them as an affiliate.”
Following the announcement, Pittsburgh named the Florida Everblades as its new ECHL affiliate beginning with the 2026-27 season.
The Everblades, based in Estero, Florida, will join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as part of Pittsburgh’s player development system. The franchise has won a record five Kelly Cup championships, including four of the last five titles, and has qualified for the ECHL postseason in 25 of its 26 seasons.
Penguins Assistant General Manager Jason Spezza said the organization believes Florida’s championship culture and winning environment will help develop future NHL prospects.
The affiliation change marks the end of a partnership that began in 1996 and spanned nearly three decades, making it one of the longest-running NHL-ECHL affiliations in league history.
Last Updated on July 17, 2026 by AVC News
