Nick Sorkin joins Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has signed forward Nick Sorkin to a contract for the 2016-17 season.

Sorkin, 25, returns to North America, after venturing over to Sweden for the 2015-16. There, he was a member of Vasteras IK, as he finished third on the team with 15 goals, while ending up sixth on the club with 24 points. Sorkin's most recent experience on this side of the Atlantic Ocean came during the 2014-15 campaign, when he played for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs. As a rookie, the Rockville, Md. native accumulated 25 points (11g-14a) while appearing in 68 games. Sorkin got his first taste of the professional level at the end of the 2013-14 season, when he scored one goal in nine contests with Hamilton.

Prior to turning pro, Sorkin played four years of college hockey at the University of New Hampshire, where he tallied five, 35 and 17 points respectively in his first three seasons with the Wildcats. Sorkin enjoyed a breakout season as a senior, racking up 41 points (20g-21a) in 41 games. The 20 goals were the most on the squad, while his 41 points ranked second. The Wildcats reached the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and 2013, falling one win short of the Frozen Four on both occasions.