Lynch inks deal with Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has signed forward Luke Lynch to a contract for the 2020-21 season.Lynch, 24, will begin his professional career with the Nailers, after playing four seasons of college hockey at Robert Morris University. He was named to the Atlantic Hockey Association All-Academic Team during his freshman and sophomore years, then served as an alternate captain as a junior, before he became the team's captain as a senior. During his four seasons with the Colonials, Lynch appeared in 155 of the school's 156 games, and notched 105 points (41g-64a). Lynch finished in the top three on his team in scoring twice, including a career best 17-goal, 37-point campaign as a sophomore.The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native follows in the footsteps of his older brother Zac, who also played collegiately at Robert Morris, then led the Nailers with 67 points during the 2018-19 season. Luke will become the eighth former Colonial to play for Wheeling when he makes his pro debut. Both Lynch brothers, Cody Wydo, and Daniel Leavens are four of the 12 players who scored 100 points during their careers at RMU.