WB/S brings in three players on ATO contracts
Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins
Mar 30, 09:52 PM | Hype this story!
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton “Baby” Penguins have signed one forward, and two defensemen to amateur tryout contracts.
Although none of the new signings have dressed up for an AHL game yet, they have been taking part in practices with the team.
First on the list is prospect Nathan Moon, Pittsburgh’s 4th round pick in last year’s draft. Here are his final stats with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) this past campaign. He has been assigned to wear #58.
Games Played – 62
Goals – 32
Assists – 40
Points – 72
PIM – 81
Second, is another Penguins draft choice (3rd round – 2007) defenseman Robert Bortuzzo. A large 6’4, 207 lb right-handed shooting D-man had an injury-riddled year. As he returned, he posted the following stats. He will wear jersey #59.
Games Played – 23
Goals – 1
Assists – 16
Points – 17
PIM – 24
Current prospect Luca Caputi got into a fight with Bortuzzo in the 2007-2008 OHL season.
Finally, an undrafted defenseman out of Union College (NCAA) was brought in on an ATO. In three years of his playing career, he has posted over 100 penalty minutes, most notably in 2005-2006 where he served 101 PIMs in only 29 games. He will don jersey #23. Here are his stats from his final collegiate year.
Games Played – 39
Goals – 8
Assists – 14
Points – 22
PIM – 30
Check out Lane Caffaro going top shelf on a Clarkson college goaltender.
To sum up, the Penguins still have prospects competing in their junior rank playoffs that can be signed to two-way contracts including Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Alex Grant, Kevin Veilleux, Joey Haddad, Eric Tangradi, and G Patrick Killeen.
Stay tuned for more to come including the WB/S Weekly Report covering G John Curry’s AHL-leading 31st win of the season, and in-depth AHL playoff coverage.
Comments
Sarge
Mar 30, 11:17 PM
I thought Tangradi was already signed to an NHL deal? It would be much better if he wasn’t, and he had three years of rookie contract eligibility, but I thought I’d read otherwise somewhere.
I’d also love to see CPZ and Alex Grant in the WBS Black and Gold this eyar.
Shlim
Mar 31, 11:00 AM
I thought Tangradi has yet to play outside of the OHL...
Ben Schmidt
Mar 31, 11:34 AM
Grant, Haddad, Tangradi and Veilleux are all signed to two-way contracts already. They’ll be able to join the WB/S Pens as soon as their playoffs finish.
I’m a bit surprised that Jake Muzzin hasn’t been brought in on an ATO, though, since his season has already ended. Is he injured?
SHLIM – Tangradi hasn’t played outside of the OHL, but that doesn’t prevent him from signing an NHL contract (he was signed by the Ducks a while back, prior to being traded to the Pens). It just means he was returned by his NHL team. Veilleux, for instance, was signed last season when he was brought in to WB/S on an ATO during the playoffs, and Grant was signed during this past season, while he was playing in Juniors.
Ben Schmidt
Mar 31, 11:35 AM
Sarge –
Tangradi is signed to an NHL contract, but the years won’t start coming off it until next season. Since he hasn’t played pro hockey yet, the countdown on the contract hasn’t started yet.
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