Pittsburgh Penguins name Florida Everblades as new ECHL affiliate, ending agreement with Wheeling Nailers

The Pittsburgh Penguins named the Florida Everblades the team's new ECHL affiliate, ending a 29-year agreement with the Wheeling Nailers, general manager Kyle Dubas announced on Thursday. 

The decision comes after the Penguins were bought by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, which already owns the ECHL's Florida Everblades. 

"It is only because of very unique circumstances that we must say goodbye at this time," Dubas said in a statement. "For nearly three decades, the Nailers have been an invaluable part of the organization's player development process."

The Hoffmann Family Companies bought the Everblades in 2019, and since then, the team has won four championships. They won for three straight seasons from 2022 to 2024 and, most recently, won the 2026 Kelly Cup. 

The NHL's board of governors in June approved Fenway Sports Group selling the Penguins to the Hoffmann Family Companies.

"As an organization, our player development system puts a strong emphasis on a three-tiered development model between the NHL, AHL and ECHL, and we feel that Florida's championship pedigree and winning environment will help our players reach their maximum potential," Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza said in a statement.

Dubas thanked the Nailers and Wheeling for "all they have done for the Pittsburgh Penguins." 

"We wish the city of Wheeling, the Nailers and all of their fans continued success as a great ECHL franchise," Dubas said.