The Wheeling Nailers and the ECHL announced Tuesday that forward Gabe Klassen has been selected as the Inglasco ECHL Player of the Week for March 31-Apr. 6.
The 21-year-old Klassen was the only Nailers skater to score a goal in all three games against the Reading Royals over the weekend, as Wheeling went 2-1-0 to maintain its hold on second place in the North Division.
Klassen started the weekend by bookending the scoring in Friday night's 6-3 triumph, in addition to recording an assist on David Jankowski's game winning goal late in the second period.
Although the Nailers came up short 5-4 on Saturday night, Klassen posted multiple points for the second straight game, as he had one goal and one assist.
On Sunday afternoon, Wheeling was victorious 3-1, and Klassen’s fourth goal of the weekend turned out to be the game winner.
The rookie forward finished the weekend with four goals, two assists, six points, and a +4 rating.
The native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan ranks second on the Nailers in rookie scoring and tied for 12th among first year players in the ECHL, as he has tallied 19 goals, 24 assists, and 43 points in 65 games.
Klassen also earned his first call-up to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League and made his AHL debut on March 1st. His production has increased significantly as the season has progressed, as 32 of his 43 points have come since New Year's Eve, the highest point total on the club since that date.
The rookie is the team leader with 163 shots on goal, while his six penalty minutes are tied for the fewest on the squad among players with at least 30 games played.
Klassen is the fifth Nailer to earn an ECHL award this season, joining Jack Beck (Player of the Week; Dec. 23-29), Taylor Gauthier (Goaltender of the Week; Mar. 28-30), Mats Lindgren (Player of the Month; Nov.), and Sergei Murashov (Rookie of the Month; Nov.).
On behalf of Gabe Klassen, a case of pucks will be donated to a Wheeling youth hockey organization by Inglasco, the exclusive puck supplier of the ECHL.
Since beginning its sponsorship of the award in 2000-01, Inglasco has donated more than 51,000 pucks to youth hockey organizations in ECHL cities.
Wheeling will play its final three regular-season games on the road against the Trois-Rivieres Lions Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Puck drop for Friday is set for 7 Pm ET, while Saturday and Sunday’s games are scheduled for 3 Pm.
The Nailers open the Kelly Cup Playoffs with a first-round series against the Norfolk Admirals.