Yale Duo Re-signs with Wheeling
WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, the "AA" affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers announced today that Vin Hellemeyer and Chris Brooks, both of whom played at Yale, will all be returning to Wheeling this fall for a second season.
Hellemeyer started last season with Reading, played just one game with Toledo and ultimately found a home with Wheeling last December. A strong defensive winger, the 25-year-old managed 15 points (8g, 7a) in 46 games with the Nailers. Hellemeyer hails from Franklin Square, NY and this will be his fourth professional season (second in the ECHL).
Brooks joined the Nailers as a rookie defenseman for the start of the 2006-07 season. When injuries and promotions put the Nailers shorthanded on offense, Brooks found himself filling an important role as a winger. The 6-3, 220lb 25-year-old comes from New York, NY. He registered three assists in 49 games while missing the end of the season with a broken wrist.
Both Hellemeyer and Brooks played their collegiate hockey at Yale. Hellemeyer scored 32 goals and added 39 assists from 2000-04 with the Bulldogs while Brooks manned the blue line from 2003-06 before turning pro.
The Nailers will open the ECHL's 20th Anniversary season with a game against the Johnstown Chiefs on Oct. 18th. It will be a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals. Wheeling will open their home schedule on Oct. 26 against the South Carolina Stingrays.
