The Columbus Blue Jackets have a new ECHL affiliate.
The club announced Thursday that it has reached a two-year agreement with the Wheeling Nailers, making them the ECHL affiliate for both the Blue Jackets and the AHL's Cleveland Monsters through the 2027-28 season.
This is the first time since 2023 that the Blue Jackets have had an ECHL affiliate. It's the sixth in franchise history, starting with the Dayton Bombers from 2000 until 2008 and most recently, a second run with the Kalamazoo Wings that ended at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
Prior to today's affiliation announcement, two players have skated for both @WheelingNailers and #CBJ.
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) August 6, 2026
Zenon Konopka played for Wheeling in 2002-03 and Columbus from 2006-08, while Mark Letestu skated for the Nailers in 2007-08 and CBJ from 2011-15 and 2017-19. pic.twitter.com/s3CqJylJdt
“We are excited to partner with the Wheeling Nailers as our new ECHL affiliate,” said Blue Jackets Assistant General Manager Chris Clark. “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."
Clark oversees hockey operations for all of the organization's professional affiliates.
Nailers President and Governor Brian Komorowski echoed a similar sentiment.
"Geographically, this makes all of the sense in the world for us," said Komorowski. "When transactions occur, the travel for the players will be extremely convenient. This also gives us an excellent opportunity to expand our growing fanbase deeper into Ohio, as we look forward to welcoming fans from Columbus and Cleveland to WesBanco Arena."
Previously, the Blue Jackets have also partnered in the ECHL ranks with the Johnstown Chiefs (2008-09), Gwinnett Gladiators (2009-10), Chicago Express (2011-12), and the Evansville Icemen (2012-14) before their two stints with the Wings, one running from 2014-2016 and the other between 2021 and 2023.
Now, it's Wheeling's turn. The Nailers have been part of the professional hockey landscape in West Virginia since 1992 and spent the past 28 seasons as the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Beginning in 2026-27, Wheeling will compete in the ECHL's Western Conference Central Division alongside the Bloomington Bison, Cincinnati Cyclones, Fort Wayne Komets, Indy Fuel, Toledo Walleye, and the Blue Jackets previous affiliate, the Wings.
Wheeling has enjoyed consistent success in recent years. The Nailers have reached the Kelly Cup Playoffs 18 times, including each of the last three seasons. They are also coming off a 2025-26 campaign in which they won the North Division with a 46-20-3-3 record, finishing with 98 points and capturing their fourth division title in franchise history.
Home games will be at WesBanco Arena, which opened in 1977 and has hosted the Nailers since 1992. Its hockey capacity is at 4,700.
