Nailers re-sign Watling

WHEELING, W.Va - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has re-signed forward Patrick Watling to a contract for the 2021-22 season.Watling, 27, returns for his second season with the Nailers, after a 2020-21 season, which saw him finish tied for the team lead with 48 points. On May 8, he netted the 14th four-goal game in team history as part of a five-point night in an 8-5 triumph over the Jacksonville Icemen. In addition to being tied for the lead in points, Watling also finished first on the club in assists (30), power play points (13), and multi-point games (14), while earning ECHL Player of the Week honors twice.This is the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native's second time playing professionally, as he spent the majority of three seasons with the Orlando Solar Bears from 2014-17, while also appearing in 29 American Hockey League contests with the Toronto Marlies. Watling has amassed 137 points in 154 career ECHL games. In the middle of his two stints as a pro, he attended the University of New Brunswick, where he captured the David Johnston University Cup, which is awarded to Canada's USports champion, in 2019. Watling produced at over a point-per-game clip that season, as he tallied 34 points in 30 games. He also won the Roger Neilson Award as the top academic university/college player in the Ontario Hockey League in 2013-14.