Brandon Halverson Becomes 69th Former Nailer/Thunderbird to Reach NHL
March 26, 2025 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
WHEELING, WV - The Wheeling Nailers, proud ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, are excited to announce that a 69th former Nailer/Thunderbird has reached the National Hockey League after playing in Wheeling. Goaltender Brandon Halverson got the starting nod for the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night against the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center.
Halverson played in four games for the Nailers during the 2020-21 season, as he unfortunately had his season end prematurely due to injury. Wheeling was one of five ECHL teams that Brandon suited up for over the course of six seasons. The most recent of those seasons was 2023-24, when he was a member of the Orlando Solar Bears. The Traverse City, Michigan native played four games against the Nailers last season, as he won twice at Kia Center, while Wheeling got the upper hand in the two matches at WesBanco Arena.
The 28-year old has eclipsed the 100 games played mark in both the ECHL and the AHL, as he has gone 46-55-11 in 118 ECHL contests and 41-41-15 in exactly 100 AHL tilts. He is currently enjoying the best season of his career, as he was named to the 2024-25 AHL All-Star Game, thanks to a 16-9-8 mark with the Syracuse Crunch. His 2.32 goals against average ranks eighth in the AHL, while his .913 save percentage is tied for 11th.
This was not the first NHL game for Halverson, who made his debut on February 17, 2018 with the New York Rangers in Ottawa. That makes him the fourth of the 69 former Nailers/Thunderbirds to make his NHL debut before coming to Wheeling and return to the NHL after playing for the Nailers. The previous three were Luca Caputi, Joaquin Gage, and Dany Sabourin.
Halverson made 19 saves on 25 shots Saturday night for Tampa Bay in a 6-4 defeat against Utah.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from March 26, 2025
- Cyclones Win Third Straight, Defeat K-Wings 3-1 on the Road - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Thunder Fall to Fuel in Shootout, 3-2 - Adirondack Thunder
- K-Wings Fall to Cyclones Wednesday - Kalamazoo Wings
- Charleson Goes to the AHL with the Providence Bruins - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Grizzlies Gameday: Series Opener at Maverik Center - March 26, 2025 - Utah Grizzlies
- ECHL Transactions - March 26 - ECHL
- Americans Continue the Road Trip Tonight in Utah - Allen Americans
- Playoff Chase Primer: March 26-30, 2025 - Wheeling Nailers
- Connor Murphy Assigned to Rush, Joins Team in Tulsa - Rapid City Rush
- Alex Young Among 2024-25 Scholarship Recipients at Bellevue University - Atlanta Gladiators
- ECHL Announces Recipients of Bellevue University Scholarships - ECHL
- Thunder to Broadcast Friday's Game Live on MY4 TV - Adirondack Thunder
- Thunder Sign Forward Lars Rødne - Adirondack Thunder
- Wichita Closes Four Game Road Trip Tonight at Kansas City - Wichita Thunder
- Brandon Halverson Becomes 69th Former Nailer/Thunderbird to Reach NHL - Wheeling Nailers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
