Derek Army is leaving as head coach of the Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, to accept an assistant coaching position with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League.

Colorado announced the hiring via a release on Monday.

Army took over as interim head coach of the Nailers in April of 2021 before being named the full-time head coach by June of that same year.

During his time with the Nailers, the 34-year-old Army became that franchise’s career leader in coaching wins with a 153-137-19 record.

Last season, the Nailers went 43-25-4 under Army. That mark includes a franchise-record 13-game winning streak throughout November and December.

With Colorado, Army joins former Penguins forward Mark Letestu who was hired as the Eagles head coach on July 5.

There is no word on when a replacement for Army with the Nailers will be hired. Per a team source, Penguins management will lead the search for a new head coach as the Nailers are viewed as a vital component in developing the organization’s prospects.

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