The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins today announced that they have signed defensemen Scott Harrington and Olli Maatta to amateur tryout agreements. Both defensemen join Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after reaching the 2013 Memorial Cup with the Ontario Hockey League champion, London Knights.
The Penguins often do this with their draft picks to give them a taste of what professional hockey is about.
Of the two, Harrington will be joining the organization full-time for the start of the 2013-2014 season. Harrington, 20, is a defensive minded defenseman with shutdown ability and a high hockey IQ. People in London strongly feel he could play in the NHL at somepoint next season.
Harrington was a second-round draft pick (54th overall) of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. A captain this season for London, Harrington registered three goals, 16 assists and 21 penalty minutes in 50 games, while also chipping in four assists in 17 postseason contests.
The Kingston, Ontario native has skated the last four seasons with the Knights, compiling 81 points (13g-68a), 129 PIM and a +58 plus/minus rating over 216 games. Harrington has registered 14 points (1g-13a) in 54 career playoff games as the Knights claimed OHL league titles in 2012 and 2013.
Maatta, 18, was selected 22nd overall by the Penguins in the 2012 Draft and led all London defensemen in 2012-13 with eight goals, 30 assists and 38 points in 57 games. Originally from Jyvaskyla, Finland, Maatta has recorded 70 points (13g-57a) and 55 PIM in 115 games over the last two seasons with the Knights. In the playoffs, he has posted 37 points (10g-27a) and 10 PIM in 41 games.
Maatta is regarded inside Penguins circles as the most complete defenseman in the Penguins system who has top-4 ability and the potential to become a do it all defenseman. Maatta was rated No. 1 in our April prospect rankings.

Maatta just 18 will be returning to junior next season.

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