For Brian Sayre, hockey has always had a way of finding its way back into his life.
His connection to professional hockey in Wheeling dates back more than three decades, long before jerseys became collectibles, friendships were formed around the rink and trips to hockey arenas became family adventures.
It began when Sayre was a Cub Scout attending games at Wheeling’s downtown arena during the 1994-95 season. Back then, the team was still known as the Wheeling Thunderbirds.
“I used to go as a Cub Scout, and our pack would attend a game or two each season,” he recalled. “I instantly fell in love with hockey and started following the NHL around that time as well.”
Eventually, life took Sayre in other directions. During the early 2000s, his interests changed and the local hockey team slipped into the background. More than two decades later, however, one night at WesBanco Arena brought everything rushing back.
In March 2024, Brian attended a Nailers vs. Fort Wayne Komets game with his girlfriend, Karley, and son, Leyland. Their nephew was singing the National Anthem that night, giving the family a reason to attend.
For Brian, it was also an opportunity to experience live hockey again, and it quickly became much more than a one-night outing.
“Being in the arena during that March 2024 game, I noticed the energy and just how much fun everyone was having,” he said. “On our walk back to the car that night, I asked Karley if she’d want to come back. We both agreed right then that we’d be back for the 2024-25 season.”
They certainly were. The family attended so frequently that Sayre now jokes they probably should have purchased a half-season ticket package from the beginning.
But what initially attracted them back to the arena eventually grew into something deeper.
“I love the feeling of being part of a tight-knit community,” Sayre said. “Between the fan base and the team itself, it’s like one big family. Everyone is welcoming and friendly.”
For Sayre, that welcoming environment has also made an impact away from the scoreboard.
“Honestly, being at the games has helped me overcome social anxiety, causing me to open up a lot and make incredible new friends,” he said.
Hockey itself remains a major part of the attraction. Sayre loves the speed, intensity and physical nature of the sport, but he also appreciates what minor league hockey represents.
“These minor league players work so hard and pour everything out on the ice to try and make it to the next level,” he said.
But the greatest part of returning to hockey has been experiencing it alongside Karley and Leyland.
“It’s wonderful,” Sayre said. “I love bonding over hockey with both of them, learning more about the sport together, and building these lifelong memories as a family.”
‘Coolest in All Sports’
Those memories have also started filling closets. The Sayre family has become passionate jersey collectors, building a collection that currently includes 14 game-worn or game-issued jerseys and nine replicas!
For Brian, the collection carries a significance that goes back to childhood.
“Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money, so I only ever owned one jersey as a kid, even though I always thought hockey sweaters were the coolest in all of sports,” he said.
The family purchased its first game-worn jersey at last season’s home opener. Then came Marvel Night. They bid on and won their first specialty jersey.
“The rest is history,” Sayre joked. “Every single jersey in our collection has a story behind it, even a few of the replicas.”
The arena has also become a place where Brian can temporarily leave the stresses of everyday life behind.
“Whenever I’m at a hockey game, I just feel at ease with the world,” he said. “Nothing else matters during those three hours. Whatever is waiting for me at home or at work can wait for another day.”
That passion eventually inspired Brian and his family to share their experiences with others through “Rinkside Chronicles & Road Trips”.
Rather than creating another page centered solely around statistics, scores and team news, Sayre wanted to show hockey through the eyes of fans.
“We’ve always wanted to travel to away games, and we had already hit a few out-of-town rinks,” he said. “People on my personal social media page always seemed to enjoy my post-game posts, so I decided to launch a page dedicated directly to our fan perspective and family journey.”
The response exceeded expectations.
“It took off faster than we expected,” Sayre said. “A lot of people showed interest, started engaging with our posts, and really connected with the content.”
More Than Sports
Brian, though, also wants the platform to represent something bigger than hockey.
Recently, he created a GoFundMe for his longtime friend Shawn, whom Brian first met when Shawn moved across the street from his grandmother when Brian was a child. Years later, the two unexpectedly found themselves working at the same place. Then Shawn received devastating news.
In a single day, he learned his cancer had returned and later was let go from his job.
“Shawn is a hard worker and the main provider for his household,” Sayre explained. “So, I wanted to use our platform to help him out.”
For Brian, not only is it about how hockey brings people together and being there for his long-time buddy, but Sayre loves showing his son what truly matters.
“The biggest takeaway from this whole experience is teaching my son the importance of kindness and helping others,” he said.
Readers can visit “Rinkside Chronicles & Roadtrips” on Facebook and find out how to help Shawn.
Leyland, however, may already understand that lesson. Brian says his son routinely gives away pucks he receives at Nailers games and a baseball from a Washington Wild Things game. And some of Leyland’s most memorable hockey experiences have come from relationships with the players and coaches themselves.
Former Nailers player, Max Graham, would recognize Leyland outside the arena, call him by name, and stop for a chat. Leyland also formed a special bond with Cole Tymkin and was heartbroken when Tymkin was traded to the Rapid City Rush. Tymkin is now a member of the Adirondack Thunder
Then Aidan Sutter stepped into that special role.
“He more or less became ‘that guy’ for Leyland from that point on and almost like a big brother to him,” Sayre said.
Assistant Coach Mitch Giguere also became a special part of the family’s hockey experience, regularly stopping to speak with Leyland following games. When the nights got late, Giguere had a favorite question for him, “You’re not in bed yet?”
The relationship has lasted beyond Wheeling. The Nailers will begin the 2026-27 season in Indy on Friday, October 16th, the first home game is Saturday, October 24th against the Toledo Walleye, and the Sayre’s are planning a trip to Reading to watch Giguere coach his new team, the Greensboro Gargoyles, and reconnect with someone who helped make their experience in Wheeling special.
It is those relationships that perhaps best explain why a family trip to support a nephew singing the National Anthem in March 2024 turned into something much bigger. The Nailers became more than entertainment – the team represents friendships, road trips, jerseys, memories, and an escape from everyday life. Most importantly, their fandom has created quality family time.
And for everything that has happened since his first game back, Brian Sayre and his family have one final message to the organization’s members and to the employees at Wesbanco Arena.
“We’d just like to extend a huge thank you to the staff at (the arena) and the Wheeling Nailers for their incredible hospitality and generosity,” he said. “You have given Leyland and our entire family so many unforgettable experiences that we will cherish forever.”
