The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed right-winger Tom Kuhnhackl to a one-year, two-way contract, general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement on Monday.
Kuhnhackl, 23, will play in his fourth professional season this fall. In 2014-15, he played in 72 of 76 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, posting career bests in goals (12), assists (18) and points (30).
His renaissance was fueled by forming a productive combination with linemates Dominik Uher and Carter Rowney. The trio was frequently the AHL Penguins’ third line and played a strong two-way game.
In 2013-14, he split time between Wilkes-Barre and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL, scoring eight goals and two assists in 48 AHL games. His rookie campaign in 2012-13 was cut short due to a season-ending shoulder injury in December.
Kuhnhackl, a native of Landshut, Germany, was the Penguins’ fourth-round pick in the 2010 NHL draft. He had been scheduled to become a restricted free agent for the first time this offseason.
His contract is a two-way deal, which will pay him $575,000 at the NHL level.
- Adam Brady
#CAWLIDGEHAWKEY: Robert Morris commit Cody Hendsbee (Kemptville-CCHL) will not be joining the team this fall. The 21-year old defenseman has instead decided to attend school at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
The Colonials will still have a six-man freshman class with forwards Kyle Horsman, Kyle Eastman, Adam Brady, Alex Tonge and Brandon Watt and defenseman Eric Israel joining the club.
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Penguins (main), Dave Powers/OJHL Images (inset)
