Courtnall joins Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has signed forward Lawton Courtnall to a contract for the 2020-21 season.Courtnall, 24, is set to begin his professional career, after completing his four-year collegiate career at Western Michigan University, where he appeared in 138 games and totaled 36 points (17g-19a). He appeared in at least 30 games in all four seasons, and has his best campaign as a senior, as he netted 10 points (5g-5a), while achieving a +4 rating.Prior to school, the Westlake Village, California native played three seasons of junior hockey in the United States Hockey League with the Waterloo Black Hawks and Sioux Falls Stampede. His time in Sioux Falls saw him have both individual and team success, as the Stampede won the Clark Cup in 2014-15, then he posted 31 points in 58 games the following year.

Courtnall comes from a strong sports family, as his father Russ and uncle Geoff combined to play in 2,078 NHL games, while his sister Ally won an NCAA soccer championship at UCLA.