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.
