PENGUINS CASEY DESMITH AND JAKE GUENTZEL NAMED TO AHL’S ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The American Hockey League announced today that two members of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, goaltender Casey DeSmith and forward Jake Guentzel, have been selected to the 2016-17 All-Rookie Team. The AHL All-Rookie Team was voted on by coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 member cities

DeSmith and Guentzel become the sixth and seventh Penguins ever named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team, joining Matt Murray (2014-15), Alex Goligoski (2007-08), John Curry (2007-08), Michel Ouellet (2003-04) and Toby Petersen (2000-01).

DeSmith rose to prominence last spring as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s unlikely hero in the Calder Cup Playoffs, but is only in his first full AHL season this year. The Rochester, N.H. native has a 19-4-2 record, a .920 save percentage, and the league’s fourth-best goals against average at 2.14. DeSmith posted the first regular season shutout of his career last weekend, making 26 saves on Apr. 1 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Guentzel, who is currently on NHL recall with the Pittsburgh Penguins, recorded 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points in 33 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. Despite not playing an AHL game since Jan. 14, he led all AHL rookies in goals until Mar. 8. The first-year pro from Woodbury, Minn. also posted six different games of three points or more.

The 2016-17 AHL All-Rookie team is as follows:
Goaltender – Casey DeSmith, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (25GP, 19-4-2, 2.14GAA, .920sv%, 1 SO)
Defense – Devon Toews, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (71GP, 4G-37A, +5)
Defense – Kyle Wood, Tucson Roadrunners (63GP, 13G-27A, 10 PPG)
Forward – Jake Guentzel, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (33GP, 26G-21A, +21, 5 PPG)
Forward – Mark Jankowski, Stockton Heat (59GP, 26G-25A, +16, 7 PPG, 4 GWG)
Forward – Daniel O’Regan, San Jose Barracuda (58GP, 21G-33A, +7, 9 PPG, 5 GWG)

Each player will receive a custom-designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the All-Rookie Team.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s next game is Wednesday, Apr. 12, the last of 12 season meetings between the Penguins and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Puck drop between the Penguins and Phantoms is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Individual tickets for all Penguins home games are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza box office, online at TicketMaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.

Penguins ticket packages, including 10-voucher flex packs, are available directly through the Penguins offices by calling (570) 208-7367.