The Penguins have announced that Ryan Papaioannou has been named the new head coach of the Wheeling Nailers.
Papaioannou will be the 21st coach in Nailers history and comes to Pittsburgh after spending the last 17 seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Papaioannou, 41, joined the Brooks Bandits organization in 2008 and was the team’s general manager and coach for 16 seasons.
During his time with the Bandits, Papaioannou led the team to nine league championships and during his 17 years with the organization, more than 150 players went on to play for NCAA programs, including Cale Maker.
Assistant coach Mitch Giguere and goaltending coach Karel Popper are expected to be part of Papaioannou’s coaching staff with the Nailers.
The Penguins say the Nailers’ full coaching staff will be announced prior to the start of the team’s training camp this fall.