WHEELING — The Wheeling Nailers are going back to the past in hopes their fortunes will do the same. The club announced Monday it has entered into an agreement with the Montreal Canadiens, who were on board as an affiliate during some of the best days in Wheeling franchise history. ‘‘They approached us,’’ Nailers vice president Craig Bommer said. ‘‘They were looking for a place to send their players, and because of our history they felt comfortable.’’ The history between the two organizations is special. The Winston-Salem/Wheeling Thunderbirds had a nine-year relationship with the Canadiens, producing three Riley Cup Finals appearances in 1989, 1990 and 1993, along with three Henry Brabham Cups for most regular-season points in 1990, 1993, 1995, and an ECHL title in 1989. But it’s not just the Nailers. The Canadiens affiliates have long been some of the best in both the ECHL and AHL. As a matter of fact, Montreal’s former ECHL affiliate (Cincinnati) won two of the last three Kelly Cup titles. ‘‘Montreal is way ahead of the game,’’ Bommer said. ‘‘Dating back to ’89, they’ve been doing it for so long. ‘‘Their organization is so deep and has so many players that they don’t call people up every day.’’ Last season, Hamilton finished first in the AHL’s North Division with a 52-17-11 record as it advanced to the Western Conference Finals before bowing out in seven games. The Canadiens join the Pittsburgh Penguins as Nailers affiliates.