The Wheeling Nailers, AA affiliate for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens, have announced two roster moves, with both taking effect immediately. Forward Peter Lenes was signed to a professional tryout agreement by the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, and forward Chase Watson was claimed by the Nailers off of waivers from the Elmira Jackals.
Lenes, 25, was originally acquired by the Nailers on January 10th, in a trade with the Trenton Titans. Since coming to Wheeling, Peter has made an immediate impact on the club, as he has picked up at least one point in 14 of his first 17 games. During that time, the Shelburne, VT native has 14 goals, six assists, 20 points, and a plus-11 rating. In 49 total games this season between the Nailers and Titans, Lenes has recorded 21 goals, 11 assists, and 32 points. This is Peter’s second season of professional hockey in North America, and will be his first taste of life in the American Hockey League.
Watson, 29, joins the Nailers with five seasons of experience in professional hockey. Following a four-year collegiate career at Providence College, Chase made the jump to the professional game, joining the Augusta Lynx for parts of two seasons. Towards the end of the 2008-09 season, the Media, PA native came to Wheeling, where he played in five regular season games, before appearing in seven postseason contests, picking up one assist. In his career, Watson has played in 168 ECHL games, scoring 21 goals, 43 assists, and 64 points. Thus far this season, Chase has lit the lamp once in five ECHL games, while also putting up six goals, 16 assists, and 22 points in ten games for the FHL’s Brooklyn Aviators.
Chase Watson will wear uniform number eight, and will likely be in the lineup for the Nailers on Friday, when they take on the Elmira Jackals at Cambria County War Memorial Arena. Lenes could make his AHL debut as early as Friday night, when the Bulldogs begin a three-game weekend with a home game against the St. John’s IceCaps.





