ECHL: Wheeling Native Returns to the Nailers for Third Season

Photo credit Stacey Gramlich | Inside The Rink

The Wheeling Nailers announced today they have re-signed hometown kid, Peter Laviolette III, for his third season with the Nailers. Laviolette III is the son of long-time NHL head coach and the current head coach of the New York Rangers, Peter Laviolette. Laviolette Jr. started his successful coaching career with the Nailers as Head Coach during the 1997-98 season.

The 26-year-old has 22 points on nine goals and 13 assists in 83 games with the Nailers since joining at the start of the 2022-23 season. He brings a very physical presence to the team. In both seasons with the Nailers, he was second on the team in penalty minutes with 96 minutes his first season and 102 last season. Though he has strong play on the ice, it is off the ice where he excels the most. Laviolette III has won back-to-back Project BEST Community Player of the Year Awards for his contribution to the community off the ice. He most notable work is with the Booze, Cruise, You’ll Lose Program which brings awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving in an attempt to prevent people from doing so.

Prior to turning pro, Laviolette III spent five years at Plymouth State University playing NCAA III, being named captain his senior year. In his first three seasons, he tallied 34 points in 70 games on 23 goals and 11 assists and 111 penalty minutes. To end the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, Plymouth State went on to win back-to-back NCAA III Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Championships, which was the first two of three. Laviolette III’s great senior season was cut short due to Covid. He had played eight games, notching seven points on one goal and six assists. In his graduate year after Covid, Laviolette III had his best season. He played 27 games, notching 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points. He ended his college career winning his third MASCAC Championship.

Laviolette III will look to bring more physicality to the team next season, along with the strong leadership he has in him. He will be a big deapth player for the Nailers, and should have a big season for them now heading into his third season.


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Zachary Alvarado

Inside The Rink journalist covering the Wheeling Nailers and Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL. I am a Duquesne University Sports Information and Media major graduating in December. I have been passionate about hockey since I was 4 years old.

Leave a Reply

ECHL South Division Semifinals – Game 5 Recap: Orlando Solar Bears vs South Carolina Stingrays

A tied series is underway in Florida. Game five of the Kelly Cup Playoffs between the South Carolina Stingrays and Orlando Solar Bears. The Solar Bears are looking to continue their win streak on home ice and take the lead. Last night’s game was intense; South Carolina had ten icing calls in the first period, […]

Read More
Reading Royals and Trois-Rivieres Lions shake hands at the end of the North Division Semifinals

ECHL North Division Semifinals Recap: Trois-Rivieres Lions vs Reading Royals

The Trois-Rivieres Lions and Reading Royals met in the North Division Semifinals, and the Lions swept the series in four games. For the Lions, this is the first time in franchise history that they will advance to the North Division Finals, as they await the winner of the Norfolk Admirals/Wheeling Nailers. Reading has failed to […]

Read More

ECHL: Sergei Murashov Called Up To Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have announced that they’ve called up goaltender Sergei Murashov from the Wheeling Nailers. This comes after Joel Blomqvist left Wednesday Night’s vs the Lehigh Valley Phantoms after the second period with an injury. Sergei Murashov is 12-3 with a 2.64 GAA, .913 SV% with one shutout in 16 games at the AHL […]

Read More