Pens select defenseman Joe Morrow in 1st round

Pens Go "D" in 1st round

The Pittsburgh Penguins bypassed several forwards and took puck moving defenseman Joe Morrow (Portland, WHL) with the No. 23 selection.

The selection may seem like a head scratcher from the Penguins in that there were several intriguing forwards available but the Penguins stick to their philosophy of taking the best player on their board as the team also see's trade value down the road in first rounders.

Morrow led all Portland defensemen this past season with 49 points (9G-40A) and six power-play goals in 60 games. During the postseason he placed second among all WHL blueliners with 20 points (6G-14A) in 21 games while helping the Winterhawks reach the WHL final.

Morrow, who stands 6-foot, 197 pounds, has spent the previous three-plus seasons with Portland, notching 87 points (16G-71A) in 165 games.

The Penguins are a franchise that values puck moving defenseman extremely high and believe they are a rarity.