Penguins/NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled defenseman Andrew Hutchinson from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
Hutchinson is expected to participate in Wednesday’s morning skate and is likely to play against the Toronto Maple Leafs as Brooks Orpik and Zbynek Michalek are both expected to miss tomorrow’s game.
Hutchinson recorded a goal and an assist in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s season opening defeat of rival and two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey, 3-2, on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Hutchinson, 30, has played 135 career NHL games with Dallas, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Nashville. He has 38 career points (12G-26A).
Hutchinson (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) helped the Texas Stars earn a berth in the Calder Cup Final last season, chipping in five goals and 16 assists in 21 playoff games. He won the Calder Cup with Milwaukee in 2004.
The Evanston, Illinois native won the AHL’s Eddie Shore Award as defenseman of the year after posting 18 goals and 64 points with Hartford in 2007-08. Hutchinson’s 46 assists and 64 points were the most in the league by a blueliner, while his 18 goals ranked third.
Hutchinson, who was originally drafted by Nashville in the second round (54th overall) of the 1999 Entry Draft, played four seasons of collegiate hockey with Michigan State. He also represented the United States at the 2007 World Championships in Russia.
