Pittsburgh Penguins’ Owen Pickering (38) returns to the bench after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
A lot of new faces and a couple of relative veterans will be among the players participating for the Pittsburgh Penguins at an annual Prospects Challenge in Buffalo.
The Penguins, who have recently flooded their previously thin prospect pool under president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas, are sending 24 players to the tournament, which also includes contingents from Buffalo, Boston, Columbus and New Jersey. The Penguins’ first game is Friday against the Bruins.
Forward Ben Kindel, a first-round pick, will be one of nine 2025 draft picks who will be competing for the Penguins for the first time. On the flip side, two players who have already made their NHL debuts, forward Ville Koivunen and defenseman Owen Pickering, will be returning to the challenge.
Others who have been tagged as players to watch in the team’s upcoming main training camp who are heading to Buffalo include forward Tristan Broz, defenseman Harrison Brunicke and goaltender Sergei Murashov.
Three prospects will miss the tournament because of injuries — Rutger McGroarty, who also spent time with the NHL Penguins last season; Bill Zonnon, another first-round pick this year; and Peyton Kettles, who was acquired from Buffalo — are injured and won’t participate. The Penguins indicated that Dubas will update their status before the main training camp opens.
Here is the Penguins’ Prospect Challenge roster:
Forwards — Tristan Broz, Atley Calvert, Jordan Charron, Kale Dach, Brayden Edwards, Max Graham, Avery Hayes, Travis Hayes, Ben Kindel, Gabe Klassen, Ville Koivunen, Ryan Miller, Nolan Renwick, Carter Sanderson
Defensemen — Quinn Beauchesne, Harrison Brunicke, Finn Harding, Daniel Laatsch, Brady Peddle, Owen Pickering, Emil Pieniniemi, Chase Pietila
Goaltenders — Gabriel D’Aigle, Sergei Murashov
Tags: Pittsburgh Penguins Prospect Challenge Shelly Anderson
Categorized:Penguins Prospects