- Kyle Dubas confirmed the Penguins are ending their 29-year ECHL affiliation with the Wheeling Nailers
- The Florida Everblades, owned by new Penguins owner David Hoffmann, take over for 2026-27
- Read below for the statements from both sides and where Wheeling turns next
The longest-running affiliation in the ECHL is over.
Kyle Dubas confirmed Thursday that the Wheeling Nailers will no longer serve as Pittsburgh’s ECHL affiliate, ending a run that lasted 29 years. His statement didn’t dress the split up as a hockey decision.
“It is only because of very unique circumstances that we must say goodbye at this time. The Nailers have run a first-class operation for many years, and any organization would be fortunate to have them as an affiliate.”
The club posted the news Thursday afternoon:
Those circumstances aren’t much of a mystery. The Hoffmann Family of Companies closed a $1.7 billion purchase of the Penguins last month, and David Hoffmann has owned the Florida Everblades since 2019.
Two hours later, the Everblades had the job:
Assistant general manager Jason Spezza fronted that announcement and pointed straight at Florida’s trophy case.
“Our player development system puts a strong emphasis on a three-tiered development model between the NHL, AHL and ECHL, and we feel that Florida’s championship pedigree and winning environment will help our players reach their maximum potential,” Spezza said in the team’s release.
He isn’t overselling it. Florida owns five Kelly Cups, the most in ECHL history, and has won four of the last five. The Everblades have reached the playoffs in 25 of their 26 seasons.
Geography is the trade-off. Wheeling sits 60 miles from Pittsburgh. Estero, Florida is roughly 1,100. The Everblades slide in as the secondary developmental affiliate behind Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.
Nailers president Brian Komorowski thanked Dubas, Spezza and Amanda Kessel by name, and he sounded clear-eyed about the ownership math.
“We are sad to see the affiliation end, but understand the lineage of the Hoffmann Family of Companies owning the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Everblades. We have already begun speaking with other NHL teams about our affiliation for the future.”
Wheeling has places to call. The Blue Jackets, Sabres and Mammoth all head into next season without an ECHL affiliate.
Dubas signed off his statement with a line aimed at the fan base: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Wheeling.”
The longest active NHL-ECHL partnership now belongs to the Stars and the Idaho Steelheads, paired since 2005-06.
