By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
On Jan. 29, 2026, the Maine Mariners and Wheeling Nailers made a trade. The Mariners traded defenseman Tristan Thompson to the Nailers in exchange for future considerations. Thompson finished the 2025-26 season playing in 31 games and 15 playoff games for the Nailers. In a twist, Thompson got to play against the Mariners in the second round of the 2026 ECHL Playoffs, and the Nailers won the series in seven games. Today, the January trade between the Mariners and Nailers was officially finalized. The Mariners acquired the rights to forward Jack Works.
Works, 25, is a Yellowknife native of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Works has been with the Nailers organization for the past two years after playing collegiate hockey at the University of Denver and Michigan Tech University. Works was part of Denver’s 2022 National Championship team and served as Michigan Tech’s captain in the 2024-25 season.
Works recorded three assists in 14 games for the Nailers during the 2024-25 season. Works played in three games in the 2025 playoffs, but recorded no points. As a true rookie this season, Works recorded 13 points in 57 games. Works played in four games for the Nailers in the 2026 playoffs, but recorded no points.
All players traded at today’s deadline will need to sign contracts with their respective teams for the upcoming 2026-27 season, a process that will begin on June 23. The next step in the rights retention process will take place on June 22, with the season-ending roster of up to 20 players. Players can start signing contracts on June 23, and qualifying offers can be issued on July 7 to up to eight unsigned players.
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