WHEELING, WV -Congratulations to David Laliberte who became the 39th ever Wheeling Nailers player to make it to the NHL. Similar to many Nailers before him, Laliberte actually scored a goal in his debut!

LaLiberte lit the lamp on a wrist shot at 12:30 into the first period in one of his first ever NHL shifts on assists by Ryan Parent and Scott Hartnell to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead. It proved to also be the game-winning goal as the Flyers knocked off Carolina 6-1.

Over 400 ECHL’ers have made it to the NHL and Wheeling leads the way with 39. Last year five former Nailers made their NHL debuts including Paul Bissonette (PIT, now with PHX), Cam Paddock (STL), John Curry (PIT), Tim Wallace (PIT) and Kurtis McLean (NYI). Paddock and Wallace also both scored in their NHL debuts last year just like Laliberte.
LaLiberte played for the Nailers in 2007-08 and lit it up with 10 goals and 14 assists in 27 games. He played last year with the Philadelphia Phantoms and began this year with that same team which are now the Adirondack Phantoms in the AHL.

Who will be next? Several former Nailers appear on the verge with their AHL teams of breaking into the NHL ranks. Wheeling Alum #40 making it all the way to the top could be coming soon!!

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