Former Wheeling Nailers forward Mike Fazio has sadly passed away at 31.
The ECHL family has lost one of its own.
Mike Fazio, a former forward with the Wheeling Nailers, has passed away, the club confirmed today through their official social media.
Fazio played for the Nailers for 28 games during the 2018-19 season, having spent the previous year with the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL.
The Bartlett, Illinois native, Fazio played youth hockey at Fox Valley Ice Arena as a member of the Geneva Cyclones Amateur Hockey Club, and previously skated for the University of Wisconsin - River Falls of the WIAC.
Fazio transitioned to coaching in 2019, including positions as Lead Instructor for MAP Hockey in Minnesota, Director of Player Development and Assistant Coach of the Hudson Havoc of the USPHL and Minnesota regional scout for the Jamestown Rebels of the NAHL, and most recently served as Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Enhancement for the Chicago Steel of the USHL.