hockeyfights.com forums - Penguins Recall Alex Goligoski

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled defenseman Alex Goligoski from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL), it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Goligoski is expected to play tonight against the Florida Panthers because defenseman Sergei Gonchar has returned home to Pittsburgh to be with his wife, who is expecting the birth of the couple’s second child.

Goligoski, 23, began the season with Pittsburgh, registering 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) along with a plus-five rating in 44 games. He notched his first NHL goal Oct. 5 versus Ottawa. Goligoski led all rookie defensemen with six goals, 14 assists and 20 points, while tying for fifth among all rookies with eight power-play points (four goals, four assists) before being re-assigned. He has posted eight points (two goals, six assists) and a plus-one rating in 11 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The 6-0, 178-pound defenseman made his NHL debut scoring two points (two assists) in three games with Pittsburgh in the 2007-08 season. Goligoski has played 47 career games in the NHL registering 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) along with 18 penalty minutes. He has collected 46 points (12 goals, 34 assists) along with 57 penalty minutes in 81 career games in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He also contributed 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) in 23 post-season appearances through the Calder Cup Finals with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season.

The native of Grand Rapids, Minnesota played three seasons of NCAA hockey with the Minnesota Gophers appearing in 117 games and posting 98 points (25 goals, 73 assists) before joining the club in 2007. Goligoski was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round (61st overall) of the 2004 Entry Draft.