Kirton inks deal with Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers announced the team has signed forward Scott Kirton to a contract for the 2026-27 season.

Kirton, 30, is entering his sixth professional season, as he has played in the ECHL and the SPHL. He has been the leading scorer for the SPHL's Evansville Thunderbolts during each of the last three seasons. Kirton's individual success has gone hand in hand with team success, as Evansville captured back-to-back President's Cups as SPHL champions in 2025 and 2026. Kirton has totaled 188 points (85g-103a) in 215 career SPHL games.

He has appeared in 35 career ECHL games, and current Nailers Associate Coach Jason Payne was his head coach for 26 of the 35, when he suited up for the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2021-22, 2023-24 and 2024-25. Kirton has also played for the Norfolk Admirals, Newfoundland Growlers and Maine Mariners.

Prior to turning pro, the Scarborough, Ontario native played three seasons at the University of Toronto. Kirton accumulated 27 points (11g-16a) in 78 games for the Varsity Blues. His final season at the University of Toronto was the best season in school history, as the Varsity Blues went 21-5-2. That was also his best season there, as he finished with 11 points during the regular season, then added three goals in three playoff contests. Kirton also played three seasons of junior hockey for the Ontario Junior Hockey League's Whitby Fury.