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Dante Sheriff & Matt Crasa Head to Wheeling for Connor Lockhart's ECHL Rights WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers have announced a trade, which takes effect immediately. Wheeling has acquired forwards Dante Sheriff and Matt Crasa from the Wichita Thunder in exchange for the ECHL rights to forward Connor Lockhart. Sheriff was originally acquired by Wichita from the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, prior to being swapped to the Nailers. Sheriff and Crasa were both signed to ECHL contracts prior to the trade, making them the sixth and seventh players signed for the upcoming season. Sheriff, 27, is entering his fifth professional season, having spent each of the previous four years exclusively in the ECHL. Dante began his career in 2022-23 with the Tulsa Oilers, and finished third on the team in rookie scoring with 13 goals, 17 assists, and 30 points in 51 games. The forward played one more season in Tulsa in 2023-24 and enjoyed his best campaign as a pro, as his 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists) ranked third on the Oilers in scoring. Tulsa also qualified for the playoffs that season, which gave Sheriff his first taste of postseason hockey at the professional level. Prior to the 2024-25 season, Dante was acquired in a trade by the Cincinnati Cyclones, where he played for current Nailers Associate Coach Jason Payne. Once again, he found himself toward the top of the team in scoring, as he finished fourth with 11 goals, 27 assists, and 38 points. Sheriff and Payne were reunited last season, thanks to a trade to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Dante produced ten goals, 16 assists, and 26 points. His career totals in the ECHL are 52 goals, 91 assists, and 143 points in 217 contests. Prior to turning pro, the Woodbridge, Ontario native played two seasons of college hockey at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Sheriff accumulated 13 goals, 29 assists, and 42 points in 52 career games with the Lakers. He has also competed internationally, as he won the 2024 Challenger Series with Team Jamaica. Dante is not the only member of his family to play hockey professionally, as his sister Kandice played for the NWHL's Buffalo Beauts in 2019-20. Crasa, 25, is entering his second full professional season and third overall - all of which have been spent in the ECHL. Matt began his pro career in the spring of 2025, when he signed with the Norfolk Admirals, following the conclusion of his college career. The forward notched five points in 11 regular season games, then appeared in six postseason contests, including three against Wheeling in the North Division Semifinal Series. Crasa began last season in Norfolk, before he joined the Wichita Thunder in December. Matt produced nine goals and 15 points in 47 tilts with the Thunder, bringing his career totals in the ECHL to 12 goals, ten assists, and 22 points in 71 games. Prior to turning pro, the Long Island, New York native played four seasons of college hockey at UMass-Lowell. Crasa amassed 27 goals, 31 assists, and 58 points in 129 games with the River Hawks. His best collegiate season took place in 2021-22, when finished second on his team with 12 goals and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. Lockhart, 23, has played two professional seasons, as he spent one year with the Bloomington Bison and one campaign with the Nailers. After collecting 12 goals, 18 assists, and 30 points in 68 games as a rookie with Bloomington, Connor improved his numbers drastically in Wheeling. He finished second on the team in scoring with 21 goals, 34 assists, and 55 points in 70 games. Lockhart was originally acquired by the Nailers in a trade that sent Chris Ortiz's ECHL rights to the Bison, and Connor proceeded to sign an AHL contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Prior to turning pro, the Ottawa, Ontario native played four seasons of junior hockey in the OHL with Erie, Peterborough, and Oshawa. 2022-23 was his best season, as he set a career high with 79 points, while the Petes won the OHL Championship. Lockhart has signed an AHL contract with Wichita's affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. Dante Sheriff, Matt Crasa, and the Wheeling Nailers will begin the 2026-27 season in Indy on Friday, October 16th. The first home game is Saturday, October 24th against the Toledo Walleye. For information about season tickets, group tickets, ticket packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. Read the full article

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers are excited to announce that Jason Payne has been named the team's new Associate Coach. Payne, 50, has coached in the ECHL for the last seven seasons. His first coaching opportunity in the league came in 2018, when he joined the Cincinnati Cyclones as an assistant coach. During Jason's first season, Cincinnati posted a 51-13-8 record and 110 points to capture the Brabham Cup for the best regular season record in the ECHL. Payne spent one more season as an assistant coach under Matt Thomas with the Cyclones, before being promoted to the club's head coach for the 2021-22 season. Jason led Cincinnati to a 76-point finish and a playoff appearance in his first season as head coach, then won the Central Division Championship in 2022-23, as he guided the team to a 47-16-9 mark, good for 103 points. Payne spent two more seasons with the Cyclones, finishing his tenure with a 143-114-31 record in his four years as head coach. Last season, Jason served as associate coach for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. "Jason Payne has been a phenomenal coach in the ECHL, and we are eager to see him work with Nate DiCasmirro to build a winning team for the Nailers this season," said Nailers President & Governor Brian Komorowski. "Jason knows how to win in the Central Division, and his relationships with players he has coached before will help us drastically when it comes to recruiting. As a former Wheeling player and as an opposing coach, Jason understands what it means to be a Nailer, as well as the impact the team has on the community." The Toronto, Ontario native also enjoyed a 14-year playing career, as he played professionally in the AHL, the ECHL, and the UHL. Payne was a physical player, who was willing to drop the gloves with anyone in his path. Jason appeared in 416 games in the three aforementioned leagues and totaled 27 goals, 38 assists, 65 points, and 1,448 penalty minutes. Payne's final destination as a player was Wheeling, as he played in 18 regular-season games and two playoff contests with the Nailers in 2008-09. Jason becomes the sixth former Nailers player who has gone on to be a coach for the team, following Chris Jensen, Joe Harney, Derek Army, Brad Drobot, and Ryan Kuwabara. "Jason Payne and I hit it off immediately, and I knew from the start that he is the exact coach I needed to work with in this organization," said Nailers Head Coach Nate DiCasmirro. "He has outstanding experience in the ECHL and he knows a remarkable amount of players, so that will be a huge help for me in my first season in the league. He is also a former Nailer, so he knows Wheeling and can help the players know what to expect. I am extremely excited to have Jason on our staff." Jason and his wife Ashley have three daughters - 19-year-old Milajae, eight-year-old Malia and two-year-old Mylah. "There can't be any more excitement for me than having the opportunity to return to Wheeling, where I finished my playing career," Payne said. "During my time there, I was able to understand what the fans are all about, as well as what they like to see both on the ice and in the community. My experience of being a coach in Cincinnati gave me strong knowledge of the Central Division, in addition to the ebbs and flows of an ECHL season, and the work that occurs behind the scenes. Speaking with Nate DiCasmirro has been amazing - he has a great mind for the game, he's experienced, and we have the same work ethic and drive to be successful." Jason Payne and the Wheeling Nailers will begin the 2026-27 season in Indy on Friday, October 16th. The first home game is Saturday, October 24th against the Toledo Walleye. For information about season tickets, group tickets, ticket packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. Read the full article

Every election has candidates, campaigns, and headlines. But behind every ballot cast and every result properly counted and reported is a dedicated group of citizens whose service make our democracy possible: poll workers. Most voters never see the full scope of their work. Poll workers arrive before dawn to set up voting precincts, test equipment, verify voter information, and prepare for a long day of service. In our May Primary Election, West Virginia had 1,684 precincts open to the voters with more than 8,400 poll workers in place on election day. When the polls close, the work of our poll workers is far from finished. They remain on duty ensuring ballots are secured, counted, and reported accurately. Their commitment often stretches well beyond the time the evening news has signed off. Election officials and poll workers answer voters’ questions with patience. They learn complex procedures, adapt to changing election laws, and remain steadfast in their commitment to serving every eligible voter. Their work allows millions of Americans to vote safely, securely, and with confidence. In West Virginia, poll workers are often our friends, neighbors, church members, veterans, teachers, and retirees. Because of legislation just recently passed, we will begin to see some high school students working with experienced poll workers as well. These election day workers are the familiar faces that greet voters at the polling place. There is something reassuring about walking into a voting location and seeing someone you know and trust helping guide the process. That familiarity strengthens confidence in our elections and reminds us that democracy is not managed by distant institutions. It is carried out by members of our own communities. Our neighbors, our friends, not federal agents as in other countries. Rarely do our poll workers receive the recognition they deserve for their dedication. A successful Election Day never happens as an accident. It is the result of careful preparation, professionalism, and a willingness to serve the public. In West Virginia, my office and our 55 county clerks started preparing for the 2026 November General Election back in July of 2025. The role of poll workers has become more complex in recent years. They must understand election procedures, be able to operate voting equipment, protect voter privacy, and ensure every qualified voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot. It is an important responsibility, and one they perform with remarkable dedication. As we look ahead to future elections, my office is proud to join our 55 county clerks to take a moment to thank these public servants who help make our election process safe, secure, fair and honest. Our elections depend on citizens who are willing to serve others, often without much recognition. August 11th is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. If you've ever thought about volunteering to be a paid poll worker on election day, I ask you to contact your county clerk and sign up. Or you can visit our website at GoVoteWV.com to complete an application online. We love our poll workers! Secretary of State Kris Warner is a lifelong West Virginian. In 2024, he was elected to serve as West Virginia's 31st Secretary of State. Prior to being elected, he served as the Executive Director of the WV Economic Development Authority. From 2017 to 2021, he was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the WV State Director for the USDA Rural Development. Read the full article