CRANBERRY TWP, PA (93.7 The Fan) – While most at the camp are probably at least a year away, a couple of Pens prospects showed off some potential Thursday in Cranberry. Pirates wrapped up their development camp with a 4 on 4 scrimmage.
Just turning pro this year after a two-year career at Western Michigan, forward Ty Glover was the only player to score multiple goals. Thought of mostly as a third-or-fourth line winger who will use his 6’3”, 201-pound frame to add a physical presence, he also showed some offensive game.
“It’s definitely a part of my game,” Glover said. “I did the things to prove that I am not just a heavy forechecker, but I can chip in on the offensive side as well.”
Other scorers
· 21-year-old Lucas Svejkovsky impressed on a breakaway, the 5’10” forward from Tampa scored 35 goals with 41 assists in the WHL last season.
· Forward Corey Andonovski, 23, scored on a mini-break showing some hands. Andonovski is a 6’1”, 194 pounder who got a taste of five games in the AHL last year after 22 points in 31 games in his final season at Princeton.
· Lefty-shot defenseman Chris Ortiz scored the first goal. The 21-year-old was impressive in drills and projects to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton playing eight games in the AHL last season following 54 at Wheeling.
· 6’5” defenseman Daniel Laatsch scored as he will go back to the University of Wisconsin for a sophomore season.
· Drafted in the sixth round this year, 6’2”, 185-pound forward Luke Devlin with a solid goal and week. Devlin will play his freshman year at Cornell this fall.
· Tristan Broz came off a tough freshman year at Minnesota. The 19-year-old forward was one of the best players in camp and caught eyes with how he used his 6’ frame.
“He’s a good kid,” said Pens Director of Player Development Tom Kostopoulos said of Broz. “He can be misunderstood. He has a lot of offensive ability and talent. You saw the goal he scored (Thursday). The play he made in tight with his hands and to get the shot off is pretty special.”
“It was a difficult year for him. He decided to change things up and I think he’s in a good spot now. Really excited about himself and his future. Really glad he’s a Pittsburgh Penguin.”
Other name from camp
Joel Blumqvist (6’2”, 183 pounds, lefty-catch goalie)
It was a bit of a surprise the 20-year-old was able to make it to Pittsburgh for camp having to travel from Finland. He played in 20 games with Karpat of the Liiga League last season with a 1.32 goals against average and a .940 save percentage. He was able to play one game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season.
“For him to be able to be here and get to know everyone, that was huge,” Kostopoulos said. “I think he is a special kid and you guys should get used to talking to him.”
Closest in the minors
None of these players were at camp but GM Ron Hextall and Kostopoulos mentioned a few names of minor-league guys ready to stick in the NHL. Hextall says there are three or four guys ‘we feel comfortable that they can at least come up and play games. In the end they have to come to camp and try to beat somebody out or show us enough that you are going to be the first call-up’.
C-Filip Hallander (6’1”, 190 pounds, 22-years-old, Pens 2nd round in 2018)
· 61 games in the AHL last year with 14 goals, 14 assists and a plus 22
· Played in his first NHL game last year, nearly six minutes against the Rangers on April 7
· “I think Hallander showed us he can play in the NHL,” Kostopoulos said. “He’s a guy coaches can trust.”
RW Valtteri Puustinen (5’9”, 183 pounds, 23-years-old, Pens 7th round pick in 2019)
· Scored 20 goals with 22 assists in 73 games in the AHL
· Played his first game in the NHL earning an assist against Vegas
· They love his physical play for his size and believe he has more to give this year
D Pierre-Olivier Joseph (6’2”, 185 pounds, 23-years-old)
· 10 goals and 23 assists in 61 games in the AHL last season
· Played in 4 games with the Pens after 16 the previous year