The coronavirus pandemic has been referred to as a “fluid situation” over and over since mid-March and that is why so many questions remained unanswered concerning the chance the Wheeling Nailers will take the ice for a 2020-2021 season.
As of today, ECHL has scheduled a December beginning for an abbreviated scheduled, but what decisions will be made between now and then is anyone’s guess, according to Nailers media manager DJ Abisalih.
“What that is going to look like depends on a lot of things still to be determined,” the Voice of the Nailers reported. “I know how often league officials have been meeting so they consider all of the options that might get us back to playing hockey again.
“Within our organization, we are moving forward with planning as if we are going to start in December so we are completely prepared,” Abisalih said. “Everything from tickets to partnerships and signing players is taking place right now so we will be ready.”
Fans in the Stands
All athletes hear them, and, yes, the crowd makes a difference.
But a supportive fan base makes a difference at the bank, too, and that is why Wheeling, the eldest franchise in the ECHL, has annually made their faithful a high priority.
“Our fan base is the foundation of what we do. It’s based on having fans because you are offering an entertaining product,” Abisalih explained. “The fans are an enormous part of what we do on the ECHL level, and I know our fans in Wheeling were upset with the way last season ended and that they want to come back to the arena as soon as possible.
“I have watched every single game since the Stanley Cup Playoffs began because of how much I have missed hockey, and I know Nailers fan have, too,” he added. “We all just want to get back into the arena to watch our team.”
