Wheeling Re-Signs Christiaan Minella

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The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens are excited to announce a transaction for the upcoming season. Wheeling has signed forward Christiaan Minella to a one-year ECHL contract.

"Christiaan fits the mold of a power forward, who can hold his own physically, while also contributing offensively," said head coach Clark Donatelli. "He is a hard worker, and a great teammate, and I am looking forward to having him with the team again this year," he said.

Minella, 27, returns to the Nailers for his third season of professional hockey, after one full season and one partial season in Wheeling. Prior to turning pro, Christiaan played three seasons of junior hockey with the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers, on his way to attending the University of Notre Dame, where he majored in Marketing, while also playing hockey for four years. During his time with the Fighting Irish, the Cincinnati, OH native obtained 12 goals, 21 assists, and 33 points in 113 games. During the fall of 2010, Minella made the jump to the professional level, joining the Cincinnati Cyclones. There, he scored ten goals an 18 points in 41 games with the Cyclones to begin his career, before being traded to Wheeling, where he concluded the 2010-11 campaign with one goal and four points in 13 games. This past season, Christiaan appeared in 52 games with the Nailers, registering eight goals, 14 assists, and 22 points.

"I couldn't be happier about signing in Wheeling again this year," said Minella. "We have a great group of guys coming back, and I'm excited to build on last year's successes," he said.