Penguins goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist signed an amateur tryout contract (ATO) Tuesday with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the remainder of the season.
A second-round pick (No. 52 overall) of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2020, Blomqvist is considered one of the organization’s top prospects.
Up until this point, the 21-year-old Blomqvist has spent the entire season with Karpat of the Liiga in his native Finland. In 21 regular season games, he had a 6-5-8 record, a 2.29 goals against average, a .907 save percentage and one shutout. During the postseason, the left-catching Blomqvist played in three games and had a 1-2 record, a 3.69 goals against averaged and an .848 save percentage.
Blomqvist was expected to serve as Karpat’s top goaltender this season but a pair of concussions limited his playing time.
Tuesday’s transaction marks the second time Blomqvist has signed an ATO with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Having previously joined the club in April of 2022, he appeared in one AHL contest last season. During a 3-1 road loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds on April 23, Blomqvist made 25 saves on 27 shots.
Blomqvist has yet to sign an NHL contract. The Pittsburgh Penguins retain his NHL rights until June 1, 2024.
In addition to Blomqvist, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins signed former St. Cloud State forward Jami Krannila to an ATO.
In 41 NCAA games this season, the left-handed Krannila (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) led St. Cloud State with 40 points (21 goals, 19 assists).
A native of Finland, the 22-year-old Kranilla was not drafted.
In corresponding transactions, defensemen Peter DiLiberatore and Chris Ortiz were assigned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to Wheeling of the ECHL.
