Columbus Blue Jackets Announce ECHL Afilliate

Thursday, August 06, 2026 ,
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The Columbus Blue Jackets haven't had a relationship with an ECHL team since 2023, when their affiliation extended with the Kalamazoo Wings for the 2022-203 season. That relationship with the K-Wings would be torched quickly, as the following season the team would sign a deal with the Vancouver Canucks.

Today, the team announced their partnership with the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers, with whom they signed a two-year deal through the 2027-28 season. 

The Club released a statement today detailing the newly minted relationship between the two organizations:

"We are excited to partner with the Wheeling Nailers as our new ECHL affiliate," said Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris Clark, who oversees hockey operations for the organization's professional affiliates. "Wheeling has a long tradition of both player development and organizational success, and its proximity to both Cleveland and Columbus will be advantageous on the hockey side, while providing a great opportunity to promote our organization and the game throughout the region."
"We look forward to working with Head Coach Nate DiCasmirro, his staff and the entire Nailers organization while helping the young players in our system take the next step in their development."

The Nailers' relationship with the Pittsburgh Penguins, a Metropolitan Division rival which had lasted 28-years. A casualty of the Hoffman Group taking ownership of the Penguins. 

The Hoffmans own the Everblades too, and it gives you an insight into the motivation behind the move.



Now, they'll have to prove themselves as a club capable of developing players below the AHL tier of professional hockey. 

This announcement follows the decision of the Penguins to move on from their relationship with the Nailers, and signing a deal with the Florida Everblades. 

 

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