WHEELING, WV – The Wheeling Nailers announced Thursday that the team has acquired forwards Christian Minella and Sam D’Agostino from the Cincinnati Cyclones.
In addition, the Pittsburgh Penguins reassigned forward Casey Pierro-Zabotel to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. The Penguins later reassigned Pierro-Zabotel to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.
Minella, 25, comes to Wheeling after posting 17 points (9g, 17a) in 40 games with the Cyclones this season. Prior to Cincinnati, the 6’2”, 206-lb forward, was a four-year starter at Notre Dame scoring 33 points (12g, 21a) in 113 career games. The native of Cincinnati, Ohio helped lead the Fighting Irish to an appearance in the 2008 NCAA Championship Game.
D’Agostino, 24, has appeared in 39 games this season for the Cyclones, scoring 10 goals and adding two assists. The Medford, Massachusetts native led Cincinnati in game-winning goals with three. Prior to this season, the 6’0”, 200-lb, forward played the past two seasons at University of Massachusetts-Lowell, scoring four points in 35 career games.
In addition, D’Agostino played for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL during the 2005-06 season.
Pierro-Zabotel was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Pierro-Zabotel scored 34 points in 42 games with the Nailers this season.
The Nailers return to action this weekend with a pair of games at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown. On Friday, the team battles Reading beginning at 7:05 p.m., and will square off against division rival Toledo on Saturday at 8:05 p.m.
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