Former Penguin Zolnierczyk Signs With The Islanders

Zolnierczyk was a member of the Penguins organization for one season.

After one season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Harry Zolnierczyk is moving on to the New York Islanders. He signed a one-year, two-way contract yesterday.

"I'm very excited for the challenge that lays ahead," Zolnierczyk said. "My ultimate goal, as it has been in the past, is to make the team out of camp and I'm excited to join the Islanders organization."


Zolnierczyk, 26, recently wrapped up his third full season of professional hockey appearing in his first pro playoff action in his career during the AHL Penguins 17-game stint into the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs. In those 17 games, Zolnierczyk tallied 10 points (3G-7A) and 10 penalty minutes in addition to registering 36 points (18G-18A) in 57 regular season AHL games.

"It will be tough leaving because it's not often you get such a tight group of guys," Zolnierczyk said. "Our run deep into the playoffs was pretty exciting."

Zolnierczyk's 18 goals were good for third highest on the AHL Pens in scoring. The former Brown University standout also appeared in 13 NHL games with Pittsburgh this past season, recording two goals and 12 penalty minutes in 13 games with the NHL Pens.

"It's not often you get a chance to live and play with one of your best buddies from college (Bobby Farnham). So I'm glad I got that opportunity," Zolnierczyk said.

Zolnierczyk also had high praises for the Penguins fans in northeastern Pennsylvania.

"I just want to thank them for such a great season. I had a blast playing in front of them."



Below is a list of all the free agents who played on the AHL Penguins last season, with an updated account of their status after the first day of free agency.

UFA's

Forwards - Chuck Kobasew (signed with Bern in Swiss League), Brian Gibbons, Zach Sill, Nick Drazenovic (re-signed one-year deal with Pens), Harry Zolnierczyk (signed with Islanders ), Tom Kostopoulos (re-signed a one-year AHL with Pens), Spencer Machacek, Denver Manderson, Carter Rowney, Christiaan Minella and Mike Carman

Defensemen - Brendan Mikkelson, Dustin Stevenson, Peter Merth and Barry Goers.

Goaltenders - Jeff Deslauriers and Peter Mannino.

RFA's

Forwards (2) - Jayson Megna and Bobby Farnham

Defensemen (2) - Simon Despres and Philip Samuelsson.