Ryan Papaioannou has been appointed as the new head coach of the Wheeling Nailers, according to an announcement by Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas. The selection process lasted six weeks and involved Jason Spezza, Amanda Kessel, and Lucas Malloy from the Penguins, along with Wheeling Nailers President & Governor Brian Komorowski.
“Adding Ryan to the organization as the head coach of the Wheeling Nailers is a pivotal hire for the Penguins and our development system,” said Penguins Assistant General Manager Jason Spezza. “Ryan has consistently delivered winning results, including multiple championships during his 16 years as head coach and general manager of the Brooks Bandits. Additionally, he has a long track record of developing elite players, helping them to reach their potential, and contributing to a winning program. In the coming years, the number of young draft picks and free agents we will have entering pro hockey with our organization will be immense. As a result this hire was of tremendous importance to the Penguins and we are thrilled to get to work with Ryan.”
Papaioannou, who is from Calgary, Alberta, becomes the 21st head coach in Nailers history at age 41. He joins from the Brooks Bandits after spending 17 seasons in both the Alberta Junior Hockey League (2008-24) and British Columbia Hockey League (2024-25). He started with the Bandits as an assistant coach in 2008-09 before serving as general manager and head coach for 16 seasons.
During his time with the Bandits, Papaioannou led them to nine league championships—including their first BCHL championship last season—and secured four Junior A National Championships in 2013, 2019, 2022, and 2023. He earned Coach of the Year honors three times (2013, 2019, and 2022). His leadership contributed to over 150 players advancing from junior hockey to NCAA programs and included producing NHL draft picks such as Cale Makar.
Papaioannou will oversee a coaching staff that includes returning assistant coach Mitch Giguere and goaltending coach Karel Popper. The full Nailers coaching staff is expected to be announced before the start of Pittsburgh Penguins training camp for the 2025-26 season.
