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Nailers add three

Nailers add three

Friday, July 15th

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has signed forwards Cédric Desruisseaux and Max Johnson, as well as defenseman Louie Roehl.Desruisseaux, 22, came to the Nailers late last season, when he was loaned to Wheeling by the American Hokey League's Laval Rocket, after spending most of the year with the Trois-Rivières Lions. The Warwick, Québec native finished his rookie campaign with 30 points (9g-21a) in 50 ECHL games, and also appeared in three matches with Laval, in which he collected two points (1g-1a). Prior to turning pro, Desruisseaux played five seasons in the Québec Major Junior Hockey League with Victoriaville, Drummondville and Charlottetown.Johnson, 24, is a new member of the Nailers, as he gets ready to begin his pro career. He played five seasons of college hockey, as he attended Bowling Green State University for four years, then transferred to the University of Wisconsin for his final year. The Lakeville, Minnesota native racked up 122 points (48g-74a) in 143 games at BGSU. His best season came during his sophomore year, when he led Bowling Green with 19 goals, 24 assists and 43 points in 41 games. Johnson was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2017-18, and was a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team three times.Roehl, 24, is also making the jump from the college game to the pros, as he signs his first contract with the Nailers. He played five seasons of college hockey, all for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Primarily a defensive defenseman, Roehl finished his collegiate career with a +28 rating, as he was a plus player in four of five seasons. Offensively, the Eden Prairie, Minnesota native recorded 29 points (7g-22a) in 180 games. While with the Bulldogs, the team reached the Frozen Four four times, and won the National Championship in 2017 and 2018.