Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Sends Brickey, Renwick Back to Wheeling for More Ice Time
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are making a couple of roster moves ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Syracuse Crunch, reassigning defenseman Scooter Brickey and forward Nolan Renwick to their ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers.
Let’s break down what that means-and why both players could benefit from the move.
Brickey Returns to Familiar Ice in Wheeling
For Scooter Brickey, this reassignment is less a demotion and more an opportunity to get back into a rhythm. The 26-year-old blueliner has suited up for 13 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, registering a single assist. While those numbers might not jump off the page, Brickey has been a steady presence on the back end since joining the Penguins late in the 2023-24 season, appearing in 50 AHL games overall and collecting five assists.
But where Brickey has really flashed some offensive upside is in Wheeling. In just eight games with the Nailers this season, he’s already posted three goals and two assists.
That includes a memorable night on Nov. 28, 2025, when he scored his first professional goal against the Toledo Walleye-and then added another later that same game. It was a breakout performance that showed what he can do when given the green light.
Brickey’s offensive instincts were on full display during his collegiate career as well. Splitting time between Western Michigan and Ohio State, he totaled 50 points in 136 NCAA games.
His final year at Ohio State was particularly impressive-he led the Buckeyes with 13 goals, the second-most among all NCAA defensemen that season. That kind of production from the back end is hard to ignore.
This reassignment gives Brickey a chance to continue building confidence and sharpening his offensive game in a top-pairing role-something that’s harder to come by in a crowded AHL blue line rotation.
Renwick Looks to Build on Strong Start in Nailers Uniform
Nolan Renwick is also heading back to Wheeling, and if his last stint is any indication, he might not be there for long. The 24-year-old forward has played 34 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, notching five points (2G-3A). Across his 38-game AHL career-all with the Penguins-he’s recorded seven points.
But in a brief three-game stretch with the Nailers earlier this season, Renwick put up two goals and two assists. That kind of productivity in limited action suggests he’s more than capable of making an impact when given more ice time and offensive responsibility.
Renwick’s two-way game has always been a calling card. After wrapping up a four-year career at the University of Maine, he signed a one-year AHL deal with the Penguins.
During his senior season, he posted career-highs in assists (15) and points (24), while also leading the Black Bears with a +25 rating. That defensive awareness didn’t go unnoticed-he finished as the runner-up for Hockey East’s Best Defensive Forward award in 2024-25.
This move gives Renwick a chance to take on a bigger role offensively, while continuing to refine the defensive game that’s already one of his strengths. It’s the kind of development path that could pay off in the long run for both the player and the Penguins organization.
What’s Next
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is back on the ice tonight, taking on the Syracuse Crunch at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. Puck drops at 6:05 p.m., and the Penguins will be looking to keep pace in a tight Atlantic Division race.
As for Brickey and Renwick, their reassignment to Wheeling is less about setbacks and more about opportunity. Both players have already shown they can produce at the ECHL level.
Now it’s about taking that next step-whether it’s finding the back of the net more consistently, quarterbacking a power play, or locking things down defensively. The Nailers will give them the ice time to do just that.
And if they continue to trend upward, don’t be surprised to see them back in a Penguins sweater sooner rather than later.