Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 4th year center Carter Rowney(37) fresh off his first big league contract signed back in March of last season scores the early recall for an NHL debut after just about a point-per-game start with affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Last season while playing under a minor league agreement, he potted a career high and team second 24 goals and 54 points while finishing with a leading +23 rating in 74 AHL games.
He took his hot hand into the Calder Cup Playoffs, where through 10 match-ups he scored 4 goals and 8 assists.
The now 27-year old skated 11 shifts for 9:20 total ice time with 2 hits, one takeaway, went 30% on the face off dot and left a 4-2 victory with a -1 rating.
That is likely easily remedied if he can stick around to be inserted back into the lineup.
Carter Rowney(20) WBS Penguins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins‘ undrafted rookie right wing Carter Rowney(20) signed a two-way minor league contract.
He won three straight NCAA/WCHA Championships in his first years at University Of North Dakota, which followed 6 years of bantams, midgets and junior hockey with hometown team Grand Prairie Storm through his teens.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. power-sized forward has mostly managed to connect with the score sheet, especially in his latter years at each level.
Invited on a try-out to attend Pittsburgh Penguins‘ training camp, he was released and reported to the Baby Pens.
He was reassigned to begin his first season with affiliate Wheeling Nailers. and showing he can light the lamp in the lower league on a regular basis.
In 39 ECHL games he has 13 goals and 31 assists with a monster +23 rating.
The 24-year old has been recalled on three occasions but is still looking to prove his mettle, as he has only one marker and two assists in 17 AHL games.
He also has another goal in his short post-school stint signed to an ato with Abbotsford Heat.
If he is unable to lift his game as the schedule pushes towards playoffs, he may sign a double-A deal for 2014/2015 and look to make impressions on pto’s or take his game to another shore.