ECHL: Wheeling Nailers Clinch 2026 Kelly Cup Berth

The Wheeling Nailers have become the first team in the North Division and the fourth team in the Eastern Conference to punch their ticket to the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs. For the Nailers, this will be their third straight appearance in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. If Wheeling can hold on to the top spot in the North Division, it would be their first Division Championship since 2004.

Help From The AHL

The Wheeling Nailers have gotten a lot of help, as they have 11 players on their roster with an AHL contract, along with defenseman Daniel Laatsch, who is on an NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson has also been a huge part of their blueline, with 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points in 62 games.

Taylor Gauthier has once again had a fantastic season for the Nailers, going 17-7-5 with a 1.94 GAA and .931 SV% and three shutouts in 29 games. He also broke the franchise record for wins (67) and shutouts (10) this season. At the NHL trade deadline, Gauthier was signed to an NHL deal for the remainder of the 2025-2026 season

Mid-Season Additions

The Wheeling Nailers haven’t had to make many moves this season, but they’ve made two big additions that have solidified their roster.

Blake Bennett was acquired at the trade deadline by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins from the Calgary Flames and re-assigned to Wheeling. He wasted no time making his name known with the Nailers. In four games with Wheeling, he’s put up three goals and two assists for five points, including a hat-trick in his Nailer’s debut. This Nailers team has so much talent that Bennett, who has 25 goals this season, is playing on their fourth line.

Tristan Thompson was acquired by the Wheeling Nailers at the end of January and has solidified his role in the top four. In 21 games with Wheeling, he has two goals and 11 assists for 13 points, and adds another offensive piece on the Nailers’ backend. Thompson and David Breazeale are the only two Wheeling defenseman with 20+ points this season.