WORCESTER RAILERS HC RECEIVE DEFENSEMAN RYAN WHEELER FROM SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS, SIGN GOALTENDER CHASE CLARK

Presented by Fly Worcester: Wheeler joins Railers from division rival Adirondack Thunder.

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester Railers Hockey Club (@RailersHC), proud ECHL (@ECHL) affiliate of the St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues), and Head Coach & General Manager Nick Tuzzolino, announced today that the club has been loaned defenseman Ryan Wheeler from the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League. Additionally, goaltender Chase Clark has been signed to an ECHL contract following his amateur tryout agreement with the team.

Wheeler, 28, comes to Worcester for his 5th professional season in the ECHL. The Lancaster, NY native signed a one-year contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds on July 22nd, 2026 after spending the last three seasons with the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder. Wheeler served as Adirondack's captain while under contract with the AHL's Utica Comets last season.

Wheeler played in 72 games for the Adirondack Thunder in 25-26, scoring 18 points (2G, 16A). He also skated in one AHL game with the Utica Comets during the 2024-25 season, scoring a goal in his debut. Across his ECHL career between the Thunder, Cincinnati Cyclones, and Iowa Heartlanders, he has 78 points in 273 games played to go with 284 penalty minutes. Prior to professional hockey, the 6'0", 194 lb defenseman played four seasons of collegiate hockey with University of Connecticut. Across his collegiate career, Wheeler tallied 12 points (4G, 8A) in 108 games. 

Clark, 24, arrives in Worcester for his first season of professional hockey. The Williamsville, NY native signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Railers ahead of the club's 2026 training camp following a four-year collegiate career.

The 6'7", 225 lb goaltender split four seasons of collegiate hockey between Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, American International College, and Canisius University. In 76 collegiate games, Clark had a 2.84 goals against average and a .905 save percentage to go with a 28-34-5 record. Clark was a national champion with the Quinnipiac Bobcats as a freshman during the 2022-23 season where he backed up current ECHL goaltender Yaniv Perets. Clark played in each preseason game for the Railers against the Maine Mariners this past weekend, recording a 1.22 goals against average to go with a .941 save percentage.

Worcester Regional Airport is the official airport of the Worcester Railers HC and presenting partner of all Railers transactions.

The Worcester Railers HC 2026-27 Opening Weekend at the DCU Center is Sat., Oct. 17th and Sun. Oct. 18th vs. the Maine Mariners and Trois-Rivières Lions. The 508 Club is now on sale for the 2026-27 season! Get access to games this season, exclusive events and additional benefits by calling the Railers front office at 774-436-6904 or by visiting RailersHC.com.

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