Boko Imama made his debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their game against Seattle on Saturday. The 28-year-old forward was called up to replace Bryan Rust, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Imama traveled from New York to Washington and joined the team for the game as Blake Lizotte missed his second consecutive match due to illness.
Imama expressed his surprise and excitement about the call-up, stating, “It was great, and obviously a little bit unexpected as we were on the road already with (Wilkes-Barre) Scranton.” He added that being called up is always nice.
Imama’s presence was a morale boost for the team. Known for his toughness and positive attitude, he has been well-received since joining the organization after signing a one-year deal in the offseason. His decision to join the Penguins was influenced by conversations with his friend P.O Joseph, also from Montreal.
“We were talking in the summer when I was a free agent,” Imama said. “I had a few other teams, too, calling. I always knew the Penguins were really A-class. With help from P.O, I just knew it was a great fit.”
Penguins President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas praised Imama’s reputation as a leader in the American Hockey League during his time with the Tucson Roadrunners. Head coach Mike Sullivan echoed these sentiments, highlighting Imama’s energy and leadership qualities.
“He’s such a great person,” Sullivan stated. “He has a certain passion for the game; he’s got a passion for life.”
Standing at 6-1 and weighing 221 pounds, Imama’s hockey journey began through family connections after moving to Quebec from the Democratic Republic of Congo. His father encouraged him to play hockey after meeting an avid fan upon their arrival in Canada.
“My dad tried to remind me…how special it is for him to just see the family name on (an) NHL jersey,” Imama shared with Seth Rorabough of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Imama brings physicality and protection to his teammates but also contributes significantly on offense through forechecking and puck possession skills. Dubas emphasized that while fighting is part of Imama’s skill set, it’s not his primary contribution.
In their 4-1 loss to Seattle, Imama demonstrated his impact by drawing penalties and maintaining high energy levels throughout the game. Sullivan noted, “I thought he brought a ton of energy for us…was physical. I thought he played solid.”
