Drake returns to Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has re-signed defenseman David Drake to a contract for the 2024-25 season.

Drake, 29, will become the 19th player in team history to play for the Nailers in parts of four seasons. He has appeared in 177 career games in a Wheeling uniform, which ranks tied for 17th on the team's all-time list, tallying 46 points (6g-40a) over that span. His +12 rating was tied for the top spot on the team in 2022-23, while his +18 rating in 2023-24 was second best among defensemen. Drake was originally acquired by the Nailers in a trade with the Reading Royals during the 2021-22 season. David has also appeared in 14 American Hockey League games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Providence Bruins and Rochester Americans, to take his career total to 327 professional games, which makes him a veteran.

Prior to turning pro, the native of Naperville, Illinois played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Connecticut from 2014-18. Drake registered 25 points in 124 career games with the Huskies, and was an alternate captain during his junior and senior seasons. One of his most notable statistics from college was his 170 blocked shots, as he averaged over one per game in each of his four years.