Nailers agree to terms with Kuzmeski

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has signed defenseman Shane Kuzmeski to a contract for the 2020-21 season.Kuzmeski, 24, will begin his professional career with the Nailers, after playing four seasons of college hockey at Clarkson University. Defense was a key position for the Golden Knights during his tenure with the team, as they ranked in the NCAA's top five in fewest goals allowed in three of his four seasons. As he developed and saw more action during his junior and senior seasons, the blueliner added to the club's offensive attack, tallying 11 points over his final 53 games. Clarkson captured the ECAC championship during Kuzmeski's junior year, and he was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team as a senior.Prior to his time in college, the Grayslake, Illinois native played two seasons of junior hockey, primarily in the North American Hockey League with the Wichita Falls Wildcats and Coulee Region Chill. In 2015-16 with the Chill, Kuzmeski amassed 29 points in 45 games, which ranked second among defensemen on the club.