Wheeling Nailers: Veteran Talk
The Wheeling Nailers clinched their spot in the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs on Sunday afternoon. The Nailers have had a great season thus far, with six games left on the schedule against divisional foes. Within this season, the roster has been full of rookies and second and third-year players, but the team also has a veteran presence in the lineup with sixth-year pro defenseman David Drake.
Drake has 21 games of postseason experience under him, and all but one game came with Wheeling. “Well, clinching the playoffs, the ultimate goal is to win a championship, so I think that's the first step. It's always nice to not have to go down in the last couple of games in the year, but we still wanna lock up second, so I think, obviously happy to do it, but it’s a long way to go, so it's kind of just the beginning of things. I think fighting for a spot to clinch and all that kind of goes into it this time of year, the teams are, Bloomington is fighting for a spot, even Reading is still in the hunt, so playing against teams like that or they are gonna be playoff style games, low scoring, not many chances, so I think all that together kind of gets you in to feel that momentum and to get that playoff feel.” Speaking with Head Coach Derek Army about having veteran presence on the team going into playoffs, he stated about Drake: “You have Draker, who is your steady, consummate pro, and so we rely on those guys for everything and especially travel and also kind of a hard schedule to go through.”
On Saturday, March 30th, Head Coach Derek Army surpassed former Nailers Head Coach Clark Donatelli for most wins with 148. For Drake, witnessing that milestone and being a part of it was a feeling not to be forgotten. “It's obviously awesome for him. I know he cares a lot about the city and the team, and it’s a huge accomplishment. Some good names on that list. I've been here a while, so it's just cool to see it. It feels like not too long ago when I first came here. To see him that happy and to check it off his list is awesome.”
Drake touched on what being under the direction of Coach Army has been like: “I think just in general, his demeanor on and off the ice. He is easy to get along with. You're not dreading coming to the rink every day. Overall, just him as a person makes coming to the rink, practicing, the grind of his league and minor hockey, it makes it all worth it and makes it easy.”
Aside from Coach Army having a major accomplishment this season, Drake has had his own milestones. Drake is now second in All-Time in Games Played for the Wheeling Nailers. He passed Stefan Brannare and Cliff Loya and is sitting behind Dan Fick. Overall, Drake has played in 370 regular-season games, and 14 of those games were in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Providence Bruins, and Rochester Americans. In the ECHL, he played 136 games with the Reading Royals and was traded in the 2021-2022 season to Wheeling, where he has now played 240 games in the black and gold. “It doesn't feel like it, to be honest, but I just take it one game at a time and don't look too far ahead. It doesn't feel like I played that many, but obviously proud to have done it really this long, I think a lot of people would love to be in the same position and it's honestly an honor and to be able to do it here with the staff we have and the team we have makes it all worth it.”
Having the experience and leadership role on a team can sometimes change the approach players take to the game. “A lot of professional sports is finding a role, and I think Arms [Coach Army] has done a great job in building a group that kind of fits all the roles that you need to to be a successful team. So I think it kind of comes naturally, and just the more you play, you realize the grind it is, and the experience. I haven't changed much, just kind of try to be reliable on and off the ice as much as I can.”
Veteran experience is needed on every team at every level of hockey. They provide not only mentorship in the locker room and off the ice, but the needed value at every position for the younger players.
-Samantha Wismer/ Olde City Sports Network
-Photo Credit: Samantha Wismer