A veteran AHL presence and former pro journeyman arrives to sustain the Nailers' winning culture, leveraging extensive player development expertise to guide Wheeling through a season of transition.
There is a new bench boss in Wheeling, just mere days after they lost their affiliation with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The name is popular in the AHL ranks: Nate DiCasmirro
This announcement comes on the heels of former Head Coach Ryan Papaoinnou's announcement of becoming the Head Coach of the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League. Wheeling is going through changes after capturing a North Division title for the first time in twenty years, among other things.
This hiring is the beginning of a new chapter for the ECHL team nestled in the Ohio Valley. DiCasmirro's resume is built on player development, international experience, and almost two decades as a professional player.
DiCasmirro has served as the Assistant Coach in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors, the affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers. He spent time with the Iowa Wild and went international as associate coach of the Graz99ers in the ICEHL. He was also an assistant with Austria's under-20 national team at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
The responsibility that aligns perfectly with the ECHL's developmental mission is helping young players develop into the next level. DiCasmirro's path to coaching comes off a playing career that spanned the better part of two decades.
With 17 professional seasons in the books, DiCasmirro skated in more than 400 AHL games with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Toronto Roadrunners, Edmonton Roadrunners, Grand Rapids Griffins, Providence Bruins, San Antonio Rampage, and Syracuse Crunch. With nearly every level of professional hockey, he understands the challenges and opportunities that players in the ECHL can face as they work toward the next level.
DiCasmirro is inheriting a team and a fanbase that has become a winning culture. The Nailers were one of the defensive clubs and demonstrated a type of culture that players embraced. The challenge that lies ahead is not just maintaining that culture but building on it.
Roster changes are inevitable and happen every day within the ECHL. This makes development just as important as wins and losses. DiCasmirro's experience working with NHL organizations will prove invaluable as a new group of players arrives in the West Virginia town looking to earn looks from the next-level teams.
This hiring reflects a commitment to build on accountability, preparation, and professionalism. All attributes DiCasmirro learned during his time as a professional player and into his coaching career.
