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Un-Drafted NCAA Stars Finding NHL Success in Pittsburgh
Credit Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Following the end of his senior season at Northeastern, un-drafted NHL free agent Zach Aston-Reese was being pursued by at least five different NHL organizations looking to sign him to an entry-level contract. Some of these teams included Arizona, San Jose, and Vancouver, all teams that he could theoretically sign with and begin playing at the NHL level right away. Aston- Reese instead decided to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, a team that he would have to scratch and claw his way just to crack the NHL roster over the course of the next few years. Why wouldn't he sign somewhere where he can make an immediate impact you may ask? The answer is simple, Pittsburgh has a history of setting NCAA free agent players up for success in the long run.
Credit Dubber Prospects
In recent history, two of the biggest NCAA un-drafted free agents that have had a massive impact on the Penguins organization are Forwards Carter Rowney and Connor Sheary. Carter Rowney, a North Dakota graduate at the end of the 2012-2013 season, started out his professional career by getting signed by Pittsburgh's ECHL affiliate. After two seasons of being sent up and down from AHL to ECHL Rowney finally got his shit in the big time as injuries began to stack up for the penguins. In x games with the Penguins this year Rowney has x points () and has played a key role as one of their bottom six forwards.
At just 5 feet 8 inches, Connor Sheary was never really looked at as a viable NHL player. Following his four years at UMass Amherst Connor Sheary was signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins and has become an integral part of the teams top six scoring forwards. Sheary helped the penguins win their fourth Stanley cup in 2015-2016 which was topped off by his Overtime winner in game #2 of the Stanley cup finals which can be seen above.
The unheralded success from un-drafted NCAA players in the Penguins organization should act as a beacon to upcoming graduates such as Aston-Reese and keep this talent pool deep for years to come in the Steel City.
Credit Erie Otters In recent history the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League have not been good. From 2005 to the end of the 2013 season they either did not qualify for the playoffs or were quickly bounced in the first round. All of this started to change when they drafted future NHL superstar Connor McDavid first overall in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection Draft. This pickup of one of the greatest young players of this decade along with other players beginning to step up allowed for the Otters to jump into serious playoff contention, as they made it to the Conference Finals each of the last three years. Credit Erie Highlight Reel Unfortunately each of the last three years the Otters have failed to win the OHL championship and qualify for a shot at the coveted Memorial cup, but this year just might be their chance. After management took a look at all of the aging star power on their team that will soon be gone, most of whom will be gone at the end of the season, the...
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