WHEELING, W.Va. — Mt. Lebanon native Tyler Murovich returned to pro hockey over the weekend by signing a contract with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.
Murovich, 28, is in his eighth season of professional hockey, most of it at the ECHL level, where he’s scored 100 goals and recorded 121 points in 395 career games.
He spent the last two-plus seasons with the Atlanta Gladiators and spent part of three other seasons with that franchise.
What might have been his career-best season in 2016-17 was shortened when Murovich was given a 12-game suspension in November of 2016 after he hit Norfolk Admirals defenseman Anthony Calabrese from behind, sending him into the boards and breaking Calabrese’s neck and back.
Murovich went on to record 42 points in 52 games — five short of his career high of 47 in 2011-12. He did not attend a training camp before the 2017-18 season.
The Nailers have been short of bodies as of late, with forwards Reid Gardiner and Troy Josephs getting called up to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.
This is Murovich’s third stint with the Nailers. He played 20 games in Wheeling in 2010-11, recording five goals and five assists and also played 39 games with the club in 2014-15, when he scored four goals and recorded six assists.
The Nailers host Toledo on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. They are in second place in the ECHL’s North Division.
MOVIN’ ON UP
The Robert Morris women moved up to No. 9 in this week’s USCHO.com poll. The Colonials are in tie with Maine for the ninth spot. Last week, they were ranked No. 10.
The Colonials host Lindenwood this Friday at 3:05 p.m. and Saturday at 1:05 p.m. at RMU Island Sports Center.
JET SET
Carter Ekberg (Janesville Jets)
Former Peters Township and Esmark Stars defenseman Carter Ekberg was named the North American Hockey League Midwest Division Star of the Week.
Ekberg, 20, had four assists in two games last weekend and leads the Janesville Jets in scoring amongst defensemen with 18 points in 29 games this season.
“Carter has been playing some of his best hockey since Christmas and had a great weekend for us,” Jets head coach Gary Shuchuk said in a press release. “He’s been a leader for our young defense and he’s been doing it by leading by example on and off the ice.”
Janesville will visit the Minnesota Wilderness for a two-game series next weekend. The Jets are in second place in the NAHL’s Midwest Division.
