Swaggy P is his name and trick shots are his game.
Well… that’s what most people on social media know him as; the people who remember his playing days know him by his real name, Peter Lenes. The Shelburne, Vermont native started his hockey career playing collegiately in his home state for the University of Vermont. During his time as a Catamount, Lenes accumulated 92 points and was the Alternate Captain during his third and fourth seasons. Lenes’s last season saw him have a collegiate high in goals (15) and points (31).
After college, Lenes started his professional career with the then ECHL’s Ontario (California) Reign. During his first campaign, Lenes was an ECHL All-Star. Then he played a season outside of North America, and then right back to the ECHL. This time with the Trenton Titians. After a slow start with the Titians, Lenes was traded to the Wheeling Nailers on January 11th in 2012.
Slap-Shots
Name: Peter Lenes Years as a Wheeling Nailer: 2 Pro Games: 423
Career Points: 336 Best Known for: Hockey Trick Shots
“Peter Lenes was a fan favorite during his two seasons here. He averaged almost a point-per-game when he first came to Wheeling from Trenton, and the fans loved seeing the spark that he brought to the team, in addition to his fun and outgoing personality” said DJ Abisalih, the Nailers broadcaster and director of Media/Community Relations.
Lenes’s season was night and day since that point. In 38 games with the Nailers in 2012, he had 29 points – a career high for Lenes in North America. The success eventually led to him getting an American Hockey League (AHL) callup with the Hamilton Bulldogs, but Lenes spent the next season in Wheeling before playing the rest of his career overseas.
Lenes finished his professional career with seven seasons in Europe, the last six with the Kitzbüheler EC where he eventually became the team’s captain for his last three seasons. Unfortunately for Lenes, his last season of professional hockey was derailed by injury and he then retired after the 2019-2020 season.
Flash forward, and now Lenes is a social media superstar.
With over 100,000 followers on both his Instagram and Tik Tok accounts, Lenes continues to grow larger.
“The Nailers have always prided themselves on helping individuals advance in their professional careers. A lot of times, we’re talking about players moving up to play in the AHL and the NHL, but in recent years, we’ve seen a few different paths, including players becoming NHL officials. Swaggy P has opened a new door of opportunity and we as an organization are extremely proud to see the success he’s having,” said Abisalih.
Lenes has had the opportunity to perform across the world, playing in the highly entertaining 3ICE hockey league and even performing during the NHL All-Star weekend. As for Swaggy P’s performance for this Saturday evening, Abisalih said, “Trick shots have become so popular in today’s sports world, especially thanks to the ability to share them on the world with social media. Fans are going to be awed on Saturday night, when they watch Swaggy P put on his show. It’s amazing to watch how quickly he can move his hands, as well as his ability to control the puck in scenarios where even the greatest players in the sport would fumble it.”
The Wheeling Nailers open their home slate against expansion team Bloomington, and Lenes will return to Wesbanco Arena – this time not as a player or even his real name, but as “Swaggy.”
P. Brian Komorowski, president of the Nailers, said, “It’s always great to be able to welcome back former players especially when they are having successful careers outside of hockey.
“Peter is doing his part to help grow the game of hockey.”
You can catch Swaggy P this Saturday evening at 7:10 p.m. at Wesbanco Arena during both the first and second intermissions of the home opening matchup against the Bloomington Bison. Tickets are still on sale, but are going fast, according to team officials. Magnetic schedules will be distributed to the first few thousand fans as the team begins its 33rd season of pro hockey in Wheeling.
Call 304-234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com for tickets. The Wheeling Nailers considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley.
