Penguins recall forward Radim Zohorna from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forward Radim Zohorna from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL).
In 11 games this season, Zohorna leads Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with nine points (three goals, six assists).
A native of the Czech Republic, Zohorna is in his first professional season in North America.
The Penguins signed the 24-year-old to a one-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $792,500 on April 29, 2020. At 6-foot-6 and 233 pounds, he is one of the biggest players in the organization.
While most leagues in North America were on hold throughout fall because of the pandemic, Zohorna, who can play center or wing, played 21 games for BK Mlada Boleslav of the Czech Republic’s ELH league and scored 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists).
With Zohorna’s promotion, the Penguins will maintain a streak of 30 consecutive seasons of having at least one native of the Czech Republic or the former Czechoslovakia on the roster dating to the rookie campaign of former star forward Jaromir Jagr in 1990-91.
It's alive!
With the recall of Radim Zohorna, the Penguins keep their streak of having at least one native of the Czech Republic or Czechoslovakia on the NHL roster every season since Jaromir Jagr's rookie year (1990-91):
?? #KdoNeskaceNeniCech ?? pic.twitter.com/gA0XTBQCpU
— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) March 18, 2021
Zohorna’s recall comes two days after forward Evgeni Malkin was injured during the first period of a 2-1 home loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Malkin appeared to suffer a right knee injury during the first period of that contest when he was hit by Bruins defensemen Jarred Tinordi.
The team has yet to provide an update on Malkin’s status.
In addition to Malkin, forward Teddy Blueger is sidelined long term because of an undisclosed injury.
The Penguins are scheduled to face the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Thursday, shortly after 7 p.m.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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