Nailers re-sign Quercia

WHEELING, W.Va - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has re-signed forward Matthew Quercia for the 2024-25 season.

Quercia, 25, enjoyed a terrific bounce back season last year, after missing the entire 2022-23 season due to injury. In 2023-24, he was one of only 10 ECHL players to reach double digits in goals and assists, as well as triple digits in penalty minutes. Quercia finished his first full ECHL campaign with 33 points (11g-22a) and 152 penalty minutes in 64 games. The 152 penalty minutes were the most on the club, and he also chipped in three shorthanded goals, which were tied for the team lead. Additionally, his +13 rating was tied for second best among forwards. His strong play earned him his first career AHL callup, as he appeared in six games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The native of Andover, Massachusetts first joined the Nailers in the back half of the 2021-22 season, following the completion of his college hockey career. Quercia posted seven points (3g-4a) in 19 regular-season games, but his biggest moment came during the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Quercia scored twice against the Fort Wayne Komets, including the series-clinching goal in overtime of Game 7 to become the third player in Wheeling history to accomplish such a feat. 

Prior to turning pro, Quercia played four years of college hockey - three at Boston University and one at Michigan Tech. His most productive college season was his sophomore year of 2019-20, when he compiled 13 points in 29 contests.