He was on that cusp.
Derek Army joined the Wheeling Nailers for the 2013-14 season straight out of Providence College, and he became a fan favorite because he scored 40 goals in 105 games.
It was during the 2014-15 season, though, when Army “arrived” during his first full season as a professional hockey player after playing in 72 games, scoring 29 goals, and dishing out 37 assists for 66 points, and leading the Nailers in an improbable run to the Kelly Cup Finals against Allen, Texas.
“I will never forget that postseason. It was incredible, and we had a great group of guys that never quit,” Army recalled. “After coming back from 3-1 deficits a couple of times, we went into those finals believing anything was possible. It was an incredible feeling.”
After the playoffs, he returned to Wheeling for the 2015-16 schedule but lasted only 29 games before taking a mini tour of the American Hocky League. Portland, Ontario, Wilkes-Barre, and then Texas. Army would again return to Wheeling in 2016-17, but only for 28 games before signing with Milwaukee for 37 more.
“This is where I started feeling like a Yo-Yo,” Army said. “Up, down, up down.”
That’s because Army, came back to Wheeling, played in 26 more games in a Nailers jersey, and was swept away again to Milwaukee and then Tucson for his final two professional games.
And yes, following two years as an assistant coach for the ECHL’s Worcester Railers, Derek Army currently finds himself where he belongs for now.
“It feels great to be back in Wheeling because it has become something of a second home for me,” 29-year-old said. “Of course, I didn’t grow up here, but because of the time I’ve spent here, I know a lot of folks, so it feels good to be able to see them again.
“Of course, I haven’t been able to see everyone yet because of our situation in Wheeling. I’ve not gone to any of my restaurants because we’re doing everything we can to be as safe as possible,” he said. “But being back here does feel right.”
The Road Runs Through Wheeling
In the history of the ECHL, no other franchise has developed more players that have reached the NHL.
That’s a fact, and the players know it, and so do young coaches wishing to climb.
“During my career, we’ve moved around a lot to play for a lot of different teams, and I enjoyed that very much because I learned a lot about the game and the business,” Army explained. “I knew while I was playing that someday I wanted to get into coaching, so playing for a lot of different coaches and seeing a lot of the country, I feel, was a very good thing to get me prepared for my next step.
“As far as the ECHL organization, Wheeling is a great one to be involved with because of the ownership and the way you are treated as a player, plus the affiliation with the Pittsburgh Penguins is a big deal for me because they call within for players and coaches,” he explained. “And if you look at Mark French’s resume, it’s incredible, and he’s a very intelligent hockey mind. That really stood out for me when it came to making this decision.”
Opening Night Saturday
Not only has the season been delayed by the pandemic, but several ECHL teams have opted out of the season because of coronavirus concerns. The Nailers, however, are planning to play a full season, and that includes five games against the Indy Fuel in the team’s first 10 games.
Army doesn’t mind, though, because the Wheeling Nailers’ roster is stacked.
“The caliber of the ECHL this season is going to be very high, and it’s just a shame that most of our fans in Wheeling won’t be able to see them live at the arena,” Army said. “We have some very high-end offensive guys on the roster, and we have a young but strong core defensively. We’re going to want to play fast, and we have the young men who should be able to do that.
“It’s about development on this level, and as long as the group steps into that and improves during the season, it could be a special season,” he said. “But playing without all of our fans is going to be different. We may not always have a sellout for our games, but the Wheeling fans are about character. They are into it, and they care about the Nailers. When I played in that arena, I felt it was a very good thing that I had them on my side.”
A Wife, An Infant, A Dog, and a Coach
The man’s life has changed quite a bit since he played his last game in WesBanco Arena two years ago. He and his wife, Jenn, welcomed their son, Boone, two months ago, and their dog, Puck, completes the Army family.
Army doesn’t have to bubble with the Nailers players at the Boury Lofts, though, so his days thus far during training camp have involved the short commute from Canonsburg, Pa., to Wheeling and back.
That’s because he’s no longer a player imagining playing beyond being on that cusp.
“Every kid like me dreams of playing in the NHL, and that was my dream, but I’ve always loved being around the rink, and as my career continued, I had a chance to be in the Nashville organization,” Army said. “I did get to play in one game with the Predators during the preseason, and that to me was the dream come true. My brother was there, and I could see how proud of me he was. It was preseason, sure, but I got to that level, and I played in that game.
“After of the years of playing street hockey and mini-hockey, college, and as a professional, to me my goal was achieved. But the whole time, really, my long-term goal was to coach,” he said. “After coaching for two years at Worchester and then coming here, I feel I am on my way to reaching my next goal in this game, and, of course, hopefully one day that involves the NHL. That’s my next challenge.”
