PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pens signed a forward and a goaltender along with announcing a historic game at PPG Paints Arena next Saturday.
Signings
Pens signed forward Jordan Frasca and goaltender Taylor Gauthier to three-year, entry-level contracts. Each were undrafted free agents and will continue their seasons in junior hockey.
The 20-year-old Frasca is having a career year with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League with 32 goals and 33 assists in 44 games. He's a 6'2", 184-pound center who serves as an alternate captain. The left-handed shot is the fifth best scorer in the OHL this season and his 13 power-play goals are second in the league.
The 21-year-old Gauthier is playing in the Western Hockey League for both the Prince George Cougars and the Portland Winterhawks. He is also 6'2" and is 20-6 with a 2.17 goals-against average (2nd in WHL) and a .932 save percentage (tops in WHL). In his career, the righty-gloved goalie has gone 66-88-16 with a 3.06 GAA and .908 save percentage. He won a silver medal for Canada at the 2021 World Junior Championship.
Elite Women's Hockey
It's being billed the 'Rivalry Rematch' Saturday, March 12 at 4p at PPG Paints Arena. It features several of the Team USA and Team Canada female hockey players from the gold medal game in last month's Winter Olympics.
"The Penguins are honored to support the Canadian and USA women's hockey all-stars returning from Beijing and host the Rivalry Rematch at PPG Paints Arena," said Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse in a statement released by the team. "Growing the sport of ice hockey at all levels has been at the foundation of our franchise over the past 15 years. There is no doubt these women athletes have influenced and advanced the sport of hockey for girls, not only in Pittsburgh, but across North America. We are thrilled to host some of the best players in the world in front of our fans."
The American team features former Penguin Phil Kessel's sister, Amanda, along with Kendall Coyne-Schofield, Hilary Knight (veteran of 22 Olympic hockey games) and Alex Cavallini.
Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Nurse, Brianne Jenner and Natalie Spooner highlight the Canadian team. Nurse had an Olympic record 18 points and Jenner named Olympic MVP.
"This rivalry is one of the most storied in all of sports and we're thrilled that the Pittsburgh Penguins have provided the opportunity for fans to watch these women battle it out, once again," said Jayna Hefford, PWHPA Operations Consultant. "It's no secret that the past few years have been difficult for women's hockey, but these players proved in Beijing that they have the tremendous ability to fight through every challenge and play some of the best hockey the sport has ever seen. This rematch will be a fun experience not only for the players themselves, but for fans, the Pittsburgh community and women's hockey in general."
The gold medal game between the US and Canada in Beijing drew 3.54 million viewers, more than any NHL game this season. It was the second most watched hockey game in the United States since 2019.
