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Johnny Daniels Makes Mark With Wheeling Nailers

Photo by Joe Lovell Wheeling marks forward Johnny Daniels’ fifth city during the 2016-17 hockey season.

WHEELING — The pro hockey odyssey hasn’t been a easy one for Andover, Mass., native Johnny Daniels since he left St. Anselm College. Since that time, he has played for six teams including five this season.

But Daniels, a 23-year-old sparkplug, would like to make Wheeling his last stop. If Daniels’ play during his six-game stint with the Wheeling Nailers is any indication, that may just happen.

”He’s got all the elements that we like,” Nailers coach Jeff Christian said. ”He’s got a lot of heart and we will see that he can continue to play at this level — I believe he can.

”He’s first on the puck, he takes the man and we get the puck out.

”He does the little things, not just because he’s a little guy. He’s been well-coached and he is fast.”

At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, Daniels has to take advantage of the gifts he has been bestowed. That’s a knowledge of where the puck is going next as well as the ability to get there.

”I know one of my benefits or strong factors is my feet,” Daniels said. ”I am just trying to move my feet and create some havoc out there.

”I am just trying to own every bit of leeway I get.”

Only six games into his Wheeling career, that rope has gotten considerably longer.

In a victory last weekend against Kalamazoo, Daniels found himself not only on the top power-play unit, but Christian had him on the ice late in the game protecting a one-goal lead.

”Looking down my bench I am thinking ‘who is going to get this job done?’ ” Christian recalled. ”Without hesitation I called his number and it worked out.”

That trust did not go unnoticed by Daniels.

”It gives you confidence that he has you out there for a certain reason,” Daniels said. ”He picks the guys he wants out there, so if your name does get called you have that responsibility.

”That’s what every player wants. Every player wants to play in high-pressure situations so we all strive to do that the best we can.”

Daniels has one assist to show for his efforts — his first ECHL point in that same Kalamazoo game –but his effect on the game goes much different. When Daniels is on the ice, teams have to account for his speed.

”There’s a lot of unbelievable players,” the second-year pro said. ”Playing with (Cody Wydo) and (Nick Sorkin), they find you a lot.

”It’s finally good to get it to pay off.”

Daniels, who left an SPHL playoff race to enter on in the ECHL, said it’s been easy to fit in here in Wheeling, which he had heard about through a couple of friends that ”have been in and out of here.”

”They are all super nice guys. They’re looking to help you out and get better … improve every way I can,” Daniels said. ”That’s what I like the most. Guys in (the locker room) have played and played at high levels for a while.

”I am just soaking in everything that they have to teach me.”

Even after all that travel, Daniels wants to do more. Not back to Huntsville, but onward to the American League.

”For me at least it’s play at the highest level you can,” he said. ”It’s fun playing at this level and pushing yourself to be the best that you can.

”I was very excited to get the call here. This is unbelievable hockey and an unbelievable atmosphere. I am going to work my hardest to stick.”

Eventually the Nailers will get healthy and players will begin to to trickle back from the AHL. What that means for Daniels is anybody’s guess.

”I don’t know if he is going to continue in that much of a role, but he’s here now and he made the most of it,” Christian said.

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