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Forever "Flower": The Goalie Who Captured Pittsburgh's Heart

  Graphic: Genevive Oliver When you talk about players who truly defined the Pittsburgh Penguins, a name that isn't just on the list, but at the very top for so many fans is Marc-Andre Fleury. 'Flower,' as he was universally known, wasn't just a goaltender; he was a defining presence for over a decade, famous for his heart-stopping saves, that famous smile, and a sheer dedication that never wavered. His career wasn't just about stats; it was a remarkable journey from a highly anticipated first overall pick to a three-time Stanley Cup champion, a testament to his remarkable perseverance, unwavering development, and the deep, enduring connection he forged with Pittsburgh. The Budding Star: From First Pick to Full-Time Starter On draft day in 2003, when the Pittsburgh Penguins made the bold move of selecting Marc-Andre Fleury first overall - a rare and significant distinction for a goaltender - is when the excitement began. Only 18 years old, Fleury promptly made his N...
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Penguins Recall Ville Koivunen And Rutger McGroarty

 







With only eight games left in a fading season and the playoff picture growing increasingly distant amidst a frustrating cycle of wins and losses, punctuated by a current three-game skid, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in a move signaling a potential shift towards evaluating their future, recalled a few of their top prospects from the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday, March 28.


Those recalls included forwards Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty.


With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, these call-ups represent a last-ditch effort to inject fresh energy into a struggling lineup.

Pivotal offensive forces within the Penguins' development system, Koivunen and McGroarty, played integral roles in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' offensive surge, securing their Calder Cup playoff berth, before now bringing their talents to Pittsburgh.



In 62 games played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, during his first season in North America, Koivunen leads the team with 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists). He also has been one of the top scorers in the league, sitting in first place among rookies. With a remarkable 55 points, good for sixth in the AHL, Koivunen brings a significant offensive boost to the Penguins' lineup.

The 21-year-old was officially acquired in the Jake Guentzel trade at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. He was originally a second-round draft pick (51st overall) of the Carolina Hurricanes.



In 60 games played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, McGroarty has 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists). To kick off the 2024-25 season, he appeared in three NHL games in the Pittsburgh lineup, not scoring a point and was minus-one. Starting on February 15th, McGroarty's production has surpassed all of his WBS teammates, accumulating 18 points, which is two more than Koivunen's total in that span.

The soon-to-be 21-year-old (March 30th) was acquired over the offseason in a deal that sent Brayden Yager to the Winnipeg Jets. He was originally a first-round pick by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Draft and was selected 14th overall. He spent the 2023-24 season finishing his college career with the University of Michigan.






The final chapter of this Penguins' season is now being written, with these new additions playing a key role.

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  1. AnonymousMarch 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM

    You write very well, keep it up. I believe you'll get somewhere one day. 😁

    ReplyDelete

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