Nailers ink four returnees

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has re-signed forwards Cam Hausinger, Sean Josling and Matthew Quercia, as well as defenseman David Drake.Hausinger, 23, had a terrific rookie season with the Nailers, as he finished tied for fifth on the team in scoring with 43 points (21g-22a) in 64 games. Prior to turning pro, the Anchorage, Alaska native played five seasons of junior hockey in the Western Hockey League with Saskatoon, Red Deer and Kootenay.Josling, 23, is coming off his second season with the Nailers, and he saw his numbers improve greatly, as he produced at nearly a point-per-game clip with 33 points (14g-19a) in 36 games. After tallying six points in the club's first four games, he earned his first American Hockey League opportunity, as he was signed to a professional tryout by the San Diego Gulls, with whom he collected two points (1g-1a) in 15 games. Prior to turning pro, Josling played four seasons of junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting.Quercia, 23, joined the Nailers in February, after completing his collegiate career at Michigan Tech University. He made his pro debut on Feb. 22 against Reading, recorded his first career point with an assist on March 9 against Toledo, then scored his first professional goal on March 30 at Fort Wayne, en route to season totals of seven points (3g-4a) in 19 regular-season games. In addition to his senior year at Michigan Tech, the Andover, Massachusetts native attended Boston University for three years.Drake, 27, has played three full seasons as a pro, mostly in the ECHL. The Nailers acquired Drake from the Reading Royals in a January trade, and he went on to play in 40 regular-season games and 11 playoff contests with the team. Known predominantly for his defensive prowess, the Naperville, Illinois native finished the 2021-22 campaign with nine assists and a +3 rating. Drake also earned two AHL opportunities, as he appeared in five games with the Rochester Americans and Providence Bruins. Prior to turning pro, Drake attended the University of Connecticut for four years, before making his pro debut with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the spring of 2018. He has played in 190 career pro games.