The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have assigned forwards Gabe Klassen and Logan Pietila to the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers, it was reported Saturday.
In his first season of pro hockey, Klassen has split time between the AHL and ECHL this year, collecting three points in six AHL games while scoring 19 goals and adding 24 assists for 43 points in 65 ECHL games. Having made two appearances (one for each team) during the playoffs, Klassen has made his presence felt, scoring a goal while with the Penguins and adding an assist for the Nailers.
Hailing from Prince Albert, Sask., Klassen spent parts of five seasons with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks before making the jump, putting up 118 goals and 265 points in 248 career regular season games.
A native of Howell, Mich., Pietila is also in his first full season of pro hockey, having spent the majority of the year with the Nailers. Across five games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pietila put up an assist while collecting nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points in 69 ECHL games. Having appeared in two playoff games for the Nailers so far, Pietila has been held off the scoresheet.
With both players re-joining Wheeling, the Nailers are getting two impact players to add to their lineup. While Klassen has a year left on his contract, Pietila's is up in the summer but if he re-signs with the organization, both could be full-time WBS Penguins in 2025-26.