Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (WBS) are set to begin their postseason in the American Hockey League with a best-of-three series against Lehigh Valley, marking the second consecutive year these teams meet in the opening round. UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex recently hosted practice sessions in preparation for the playoffs.
Forward Ville Koivunen had recently been called up to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he managed an impressive performance including a five-game point streak. His run created optimism within the organization ahead of WBS’s playoff campaign. He finished the AHL regular season with 21 goals, 35 assists, and 56 points in 63 games, earning a spot on the league’s All-Rookie Team. “We have a very good team there,” Koivunen stated, expressing excitement about the upcoming games.
Another rookie, Rutger McGroarty, suffered a lower-body injury earlier in April but is expected to join WBS during their postseason journey. Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas highlighted additional prospects such as goaltender Joel Blomqvist and defensemen Harrison Brunicke, Owen Pickering, and Jack St. Ivany as promising young players making an impression.
Blomqvist, who had an All-Star and All-Rookie season last year, stepped up as a starting goaltender for Pittsburgh due to an injury to Alex Nedeljkovic. Dubas praised his speed and resilience, suggesting a bright future ahead for the Finnish netminder.
Harrison Brunicke’s progress since being drafted in 2024 has been noted, while Owen Pickering and Jack St. Ivany are also regarded as key players with potential for growth. Dubas expects Pickering to have a strong postseason, increasing his ice time to 17-20 minutes per game, and views St. Ivany as a reliable option despite battling injuries.
Tristan Broz was another name discussed by Dubas. Although not called up for the recent matches, Broz has shown promise after scoring 19 goals in the regular season, despite dealing with mono earlier in the year. He demonstrated an understanding of the nuances of the center position and aims to capitalize on his learning experiences.
The WBS Penguins hope the talent and progress of these young players will translate into a successful postseason. The team’s opening series games are scheduled with Lehigh Valley at Mohegan Arena and PPL Center on April 23 and April 25, respectively, with a potential game 3 on April 27, if necessary.
