Wheeling Nailers’ Captain Matt Quercia Shares Mid-Season Reflections
As the Wheeling Nailers reach the midpoint of the season, the grind of a long schedule is fully in effect. Wins and losses stack up, bodies feel the wear and tear, and attention naturally turns toward what still needs to be done. For Captain Matt Quercia, the mid-season mark isn’t about looking back — it’s about setting the tone for the stretch ahead.
Now in his role wearing the “C,” Quercia has become a steady presence for the Nailers group, balancing development, competitiveness, and the expectations that come with wearing the Nailers sweater. Mid-season, he sees a team that has grown, but one that knows there’s more to unlock.
Leading by Example
- Photo Credit: Stacey Gramlich/Olde City Sports Network
Quercia’s leadership style starts with consistency. Whether it’s practice habits, preparation, or effort in all three zones, he focuses on setting a standard his teammates can rely on every night. As the season wears on and energy fluctuates, that consistency becomes even more important.
“We're just trying to simplify things as much as possible. The simplicity of our game has improved a little. I think Friday, especially in the second and third period, we just like to put pucks on the goalie’s pads instead of trying to score, necessarily; just more shooting for volume and trying to hit the net and create secondary chances. I think we're getting better at that. I think that our coaches are doing a good job of trying to keep us up in this time, and, at the same time, we have guys who are obviously doing their jobs the right way. It doesn't hurt that Goat [Taylor Gauthier] has been Goat for the last few games. The simplicity of our game is getting better, and I think that's kind of what leads us to continue to grow and make our strengths.”
Quercia is in his first year of being a leader and holding the “C” in his professional career. For him, it’s about showing up ready. Staying composed when games swing in either direction. Making sure younger players feel supported while still being held accountable. It’s a balance that becomes clearer as the season progresses. “It's been an interesting year for it. Obviously, dealing with the off-ice stuff in December, and the strike, and we have a much younger team, it's a little bit of understanding younger guys and learning their culture of how they like to have things go and continue to grow the culture that we've built here. Obviously, [Head Coach] Ryan [Papaioannou] does things differently than [Former Head Coach] Derek [Army] does, and I'm just adapting to that. Overall, it's been a great experience and a great learning lesson for me on how to kind of approach a leadership role in life. I had good support from guys like [Logan Pietila] Tills, and [Taylor Gauthier] Goat and other guys that have been here a while, so it's been good.”
With several leaders in the room, chemistry comes more naturally, and younger players are shown what it takes to play the game at the professional level. “I think [Taylor Gauthier] Goat, obviously, I mean, he's just a huge voice to have in the room. I think it's a big, big part of our winning culture down here, and success is having him in the room. Some younger guys have stepped up, and [David] Breazeale has been really good for us, another voice in the locker room, and it's nice to see some guys like [Cole Tymkin] Tymmer are always bringing the positivity and the jam, we call it, so it's nice for him. The biggest thing about our team is everyone's got a voice, and everyone's heard at one point in time. It's been kind of a collective group of just maintaining positivity and trying to get back on the right track.”
Evaluating the First Half
At the halfway point, Quercia views the first half of the season as a foundation rather than a finished product. The team has shown flashes of its identity — stretches of strong defensive structure and resilience in close games. At the same time, the margin for error in the ECHL is thin, and lapses are often the difference between points gained or lost. “Obviously, we came out of the gates really hot, and had a great start to the year, and in this league, things change quickly with players going up and down, and injuries and all that. So I think adapting to that and maintaining first place has been good for us. I think we struggled for the last couple of games and that losing streak. I think it's just that part of the season where that stuff happens, and I think, luckily, we put ourselves in a position where it's okay that it happened, and overall, I think we're doing good things, and I think we're on the right track of getting out of this little slump, and getting back to where we were at.”
For a team enjoying the kind of success the Nailers have seen this season, staying close is key. Strong relationships off the ice help fuel chemistry, communication, and trust once the puck drops. “I think that's what's keeping us together. In Wheeling, there aren't a million things to do. You're not in Charleston, or Orlando, or something like that, so you're with this group a lot, and keeping a tight-knit group, and living together, so chemistry's been good. I think every team is gonna have a couple of breakdowns here and there, and I think just trying to keep them as strong as possible, carry over to the ice, especially when you're struggling on the ice. You gotta force yourselves to be as tight as possible.”
- Photo Credit: Stacey Gramlich/Olde City Sports Network
The Mental Side of the Grind
Mid-season is as much a mental test as a physical one, even more than the beginning of the season. ECHL travel, condensed schedules, and the daily routine can wear on any group. Quercia emphasizes the importance of staying present. “I've learned over the years that you're never out of a game. I think we can't get too down when we're getting scored on, and we can't get too high when we're scoring. You've got to stay consistent, stay on that middle ground, stick to your structure and your game, and I think when guys start to understand that, and the emotions don't get too high or too low, I think that's when we're at our best.”
For Quercia, production and physicality are key markers of his impact over the course of a season. “I think I've, production-wise, been better than past years. I'd like to go back to a little more physicality now that we got some skill guys back and some scoring back. Get back to that toughness part of my game, and really drive the bus that way, and I think I've been good. I think I've had some struggles, and obviously missing a few games this year didn't help, but overall, I think it's been a pretty good year for me.”
Eyes on the Second Half
Looking ahead, Quercia believes the best hockey is still in front of the Nailers. The second half offers an opportunity to sharpen habits, tighten execution, and establish the identity the team wants to carry into meaningful games down the stretch. His message to the fans is simple: “Just stay with us. I think the more support we have, the louder the building is, the more energy we have, the better we play. So I think for us, just stay with us. I know, obviously, the last stretch hasn't been great, but I think if you continue to stay with us, and we'll push, and we'll make it to the playoffs, and go on a little run for that Kelly Cup.”
Beyond the leadership and physical play, Quercia brings personality to the room as well — including an enjoyment for singing that adds to the closeness of the group. “I love to sing. I love music, I love Nashville, just going to sit and listen to music. I love live music. I love watching American Idol. I think if I could have a good voice, I'd be a singer.” Quercia has a popular Wheeling Nailers social media segment named “Q’s Carpool Karaoke” where he participates in a ride-along with a teammate singing songs, while showing off a car of the month at the Victory Toyota Highlands in Triadelphia, WV
For the captain, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress. And as the season turns toward its most important months, Quercia’s steady approach continues to guide a Nailers team determined to make the most of the road ahead. Quercia has played in 38 games this season and has tallied 10 goals with 13 assists for the Nailers.
- Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network
- Photo Credit: Stacey Gramlich/Olde City Sports Network
