Cockrell returns to Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has re-signed forward Jared Cockrell to a contract for the 2021-22 season.Cockrell, 26, joined the Nailers toward the end of the 2020-21 season, after he finished his collegiate career with an appearance in the NCAA National Championship Game. He made his professional debut on April 23 in Fort Wayne, then got on the board with his first career goal on May 7 at Jacksonville.Prior to turning pro, the Kents Hill, Maine native played college hockey for parts of five seasons. He spent four years at Colgate University, then transferred to St. Cloud State University for the 2020-21 campaign. Cockrell posted a pair of 17-point seasons at Colgate, in addition to a nine-goal output during his sophomore season. Last year, he accumulated seven points at St. Cloud State, with his biggest being an assist on the winning goal in the game that sent the Huskies to the NCAA Frozen Four. He also experienced team success in juniors, as he won the RBC Cup with the Brooks Bandits in 2015-16.