Winningest Coach in Wheeling Nailers History Leaving the Team

Winningest coach in Wheeling Nailers history leaving the team

The winningest coach in franchise history of the Wheeling Nailers is leaving the team. Head Coach Derek Army is leaving Wheeling to be an assistant coach for the AHL's Colorado Eagles. Army joined the Nailers hockey staff as an assistant coach at the start of the 2020-21 season, and was then promoted to interim head coach and eventually the permanent head coach later that year.  Army's teams compiled an overall record of 153-137-19 in 309 games,…

Wheeling Nailers Coach Derek Army Leaves for AHL Assistant Gig

The Colorado Avalanche took a liking to the work that Wheeling Nailers coach Derek Army has done and Monday rewarded him with an AHL assistant role with the Colorado Eagles. Army will work under a name that is familiar to Penguins fans, new head coach Mark Letestu. “Derek enjoyed a very successful stint as a head coach in the ECHL, and we’re excited to add him to our Eagles staff,” said Avalanche Assistant General Manager Kevin McDonald. “Derek …

Derek Army Joins Colorado Eagles AHL Coaching Staff

It’s been a long summer of coaching hires at both the NHL and AHL level for the Avalanche organization. The latest hire, Derek Army, is joining the AHL Eagles as an assistant coach on newly named head coach Mark Letestu’s staff. Army is the son of Tim Army — a longtime assistant coach on the Avalanche’s staff from 2011-2017. The 34-year-old was the head coach of the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers before landing this new gig. Army joins Letestu, and Ava…