The Wheeling Nailers have hired former forward Derek Army as an assistant coach.
Army, 29, spent the majority of his professional career as a player with the Nailers, including his final two seasons as captain. In parts of five seasons with Wheeling, Army appeared in 159 games and scored 130 points (59 goals, 71 assists). He was a member of the 2015-16 Nailers team which played in the Kelly Cup Final.
Retiring following the 2017-18 season, Army served as an assistant coach with the Worcester Railers of the ECHL during the past two seasons. He was fired from that position this past November.
“Derek was our top target to be our assistant coach, and we are very fortunate that he accepted the job,” Nailers head coach Mark French said in a statement. “As a coach, Derek has similar qualities to what helped him succeed as a player — character, energy, work ethic and commitment.”
The Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Penguins, hired French earlier this month.
