Penguins defensive prospect Peyton Kettles to undergo shoulder surgery

Pittsburgh Penguins defensive prospect Peyton Kettles is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery in Pittsburgh on Friday.

His junior team, the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL), announced his status Tuesday afternoon. There was no specific word as to the nature of his ailment, a timeframe for recovery or which shoulder was injured. Per the Rockets, the Penguins’ medical staff will oversee his convalescence.

Kettles was a second-round draft pick (No. 39 overall) in the NHL Draft this past June.

Within the WHL, the Rockets recently traded for Kettles (6-foot-6, 194 pounds) from the Swift Current Broncos on Oct. 30. Between the two teams, Kettles has appeared in five games and scored three points (two goals, one assist) this season. He has not played since Nov. 8.

Kettles, 18, attended the Penguins’ training camp in September but an undisclosed injury limited his participation and lingered until October. It is not publicly known if that injury is related to the ailment he will undergo surgery for.

The Penguins have not yet signed Kettles to an NHL contract and they can retain his rights until June 1, 2027.

Given his dimensions, the right-handed Kettles largely offers a physical brand of defense.

“Don’t want anybody to come to my corner,” Kettles said during the Penguins’ development camp in July. “Want (them) to be scared to play against me. … Just always be physical, always be in guys’ faces.

“I try to be as physical as I can during games on other top players.”