The Pittsburgh Penguins announced the end of a 26‑year affiliation with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, a relationship that had become the longest active link between an NHL club and its minor‑league counterpart.
The decision clears the way for a new partnership with the Florida Everblades, a team that has captured the Kelly Cup four times in the past five seasons and is now owned by the Hoffmann Family of Companies.
The transaction was formally approved by the NHL on June 23, marking the culmination of a sale that had been in negotiation for months and reflecting the family’s long‑standing desire to bring the Everblades into the Penguins’ development pipeline.
Kyle Dubas, the Penguins’ president of hockey operations, emphasized that the move was about more than on‑ice competition; it was also about ensuring a fair outcome for the Nailers and their community.
A New Era for Pittsburgh’s Farm System
The Everblades, previously aligned with the St. Louis Blues, bring a winning pedigree and a strong regional fan base, qualities that Dubas believes will accelerate the growth of Penguins prospects.
The Nailers, situated in the northern panhandle of West Virginia just under an hour from Pittsburgh, have been owned by the Hockey Club of the Ohio Valley, LLC, an entity overseen by the Regional Economic Development Partnership and the Wheeling Area Hockey Association.
The sale also ties the franchise to the broader network of the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins, a joint venture between the Penguins organization and the Hoffmann group, underscoring the interconnected nature of modern hockey ownership.