Robert Morris and Wheeling Nailers alum Cody Wydo signed with HC Thurgau in Switzerland, it was announced Friday.
Wydo graduated from Robert Morris in 2015 as the Colonials' all-time leader in goals (85) and points (150), and as the Colonials’ first ever Hobey Baker finalist. He signed with Wheeling following the conclusion of his senior season with Robert Morris, and spent three full seasons playing for Wheeling and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Wydo remains the Colonials' all-time leading goal scorer three years later, but has since been surpassed in points by Brady Ferguson (167) and current Nailer Zac Lynch (157).
Wydo, a left wing, was a dominant scoring threat during his time in Wheeling, scoring 80 goals and 92 assists in 191 games in a Wheeling uniform. He was an integral part of the Nailers team that made a run to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2016, recording 12 goals and nine assists in 26 playoff games that postseason.
Despite the success with Wheeling, Wydo was never able to crack Wilkes-Barre's lineup as a regular, and only played 12 games in the AHL over three seasons. Now 27 years old, Wydo's move overseas doesn't come as a surprise.
Wydo is now the fourth Nailer from last season to defect overseas this offseason. Forward Kenny Ryan also signed with HC Thurgau after missing the majority of last season with an injury. Defenseman Kevin Schulze signed with Västerviks IK in Sweden, and defenseman Dylan Zink signed with Sparta Sarpsborg in Norway.
Other departures include former captain Derek Army, who retired and was named assistant coach of the Worcester Railers. Another former captain, Nick Sorkin, was traded to the Railers, and Riley Bourbonnais and Zach Tolkinen signed with the Maine Mariners, where former Nailers assistant coach Riley Armstrong is now head coach.
