SEAN COLLINS
2004-2005

This year turned out to be a first in our series of 'adoptees.' This was the first player we were ever assigned to that was born in the United States. Sean Collins of Reading, Massachusetts, turned out to be quite different from all the others that came before him. His quick, dry wit always kept us on our toes. He had the amazing ability to come up with a zinger in the blink of an eye and never crack a smile. You never knew what he would come up with next.

A product of the University of New Hampshire, Sean was the speediest skater on the ice. He was able to skate circles around everyone and could get the puck deep into the offensive zone before the opposition knew what hit them. His talent won him a spot on the opening line-up of the 2006 ECHL All-Star game and he was voted "Best Offensive Player" by the fans and the Booster Club. Sean was called up once to the Wilkes-Barre Penguins, but he saw very limited ice time.

In the course of the season, we got to meet Sean's two brothers and father. His brother, Brian, played for the Nailers while he was on break from college. It was a pleasure to get to know him and to meet the other Collins men. It is hard to say what next season will bring, but I will be very surprised if we see any of the Collins boys in Wheeling. I'm sure that Brian will finish his college career and Sean will be looking to land a position somewhere in the AHL. Regardless, I wish them both the best of luck and hope that we may meet again.