Forward prospect Justin Almeida is gaining confidence while playing with the Nailers to start his pro career.
Almeida, 20, didn't have an ideal start to his pro career. After undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason, he was still rehabbing without contact all through Pittsburgh's training camp. He was cleared to play during Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's training camp, but wasn't able to get regular playing time in a top-six role. Through Wilkes-Barre's first 19 games of the season, he was scratched 12 times.
That's not an easy way to get acclimated to the pro game, especially after his limited training camp.