Pittsburgh Penguins Hire Ryan Papaioannou For ECHL Wheeling
On August 14th, 2025, Pittsburgh Penguins announced they have hired Ryan Papaioannou as Head Coach of the Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate
Per the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jason Spezza, Assistant General Manager stated this on the Papaioannou hiring “Adding Ryan to the organization as the head coach of the Wheeling Nailers is a pivotal hire for the Penguins and our development system. Ryan has consistently delivered winning results, including multiple championships during his 16 years as head coach and general manager of the Brooks Bandits. Additionally, he has a long track record of developing elite players, helping them to reach their potential, and contributing to a winning program. In the coming years, the number of young draft picks and free agents we will have entering pro hockey with our organization will be immense. As a result this hire was of tremendous importance to the Penguins and we are thrilled to get to work with Ryan." The hiring was completed over the last six weeks and done by Jason Spezza, Amanda Kessel, Lucas Malloy, and Brian Komorowski.
Papaioannou will become the 21st head coach in Nailers history. He has spent the last 17 seasons in the Albert Junior Hockey League from 2008-2024 with the Brooks Bandits. This last season he was in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Bandits. During his tenure with the Bandits, Papaioannou led them to nine championships, including the Bandits first BCHL championship this past season. He won four Junior A National Championships in 2013, 2019, 2022, and 2023. He was recognized as the leagues Coach of the Year in 2013, 2019, and 2022. In his time in the AJHL and BCHL, Papaioannou has developed NHL Draft Picks, and over 150 players to NCAA programs, thus including Cale Makar.
Assistant Coach Mitch Giguere and Goaltending Coach Karel Popper will remain on staff for the 2025-2026 season. The final coaching staff will be announced prior to the start of the 2025-2026 Pittsburg Penguins Training Camp.
- Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network
- Photo Credit/ Colleen De Neve /Calgary Herald & Brooks Bandits
