The Wheeling Nailers and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today that goaltender Taylor Gauthier was reassigned to the Nailers following the Penguins’ elimination from the American Hockey League playoffs. Gauthier was listed on Wheeling’s playoff-eligible list before the start of playoffs, and he will be available to the team when the Central Division Finals start.
Gauthier was named the Nick Vitucci ECHL Goaltender of the Year Award winner after an incredible regular season in Wheeling. The Calgary, Alberta native went 24-16-1-1 in 42 games, posting a 2.23 goals against average, a .923 save percentage, and four shutouts. During his time with Wilkes-Barre, Gauthier went 1-2-1 in four games this season. He held a 3.87 goals against average and a .889 save percentage with one shutout.
With Jaxon Catstor playing well in the absence of Gauthier, we will have to wait and see who head coach, David Army, will go to between the pipes for game one of the Central Division Finals that start Friday, May 3 in Toledo, OH.
The Nailers also announced they released goaltender Ludvig Persson from an Amateur Tryout Contract. Ludvig was signed on April 18 to backup Castor before the start of the Central Division Semi-Finals. Ludvig is now a free agent.
