Pens sign Aston-Reese

The Penguins announced tonight that they had signed highly rated College free agent Zach Aston-Reese. Reese had been playing with the Northeastern University in the NCAA and has scored 31 goals and 32 assists in just 38 games to make him the sole lead in goals and joint top in points. Aston-Reese has signed an entry level contract with the Penguins but will start with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins on an Amateur Tryout Contract.

He will likely play for them for the rest of this season and in the play offs. Wilkes-Barre will appreciate the extra offensive presence in their team with them currently missing Rowney, Archibald and Sundqvist to the Penguins due to their injury problems. Aston-Reese needs to be given time as any prospect is but if he pans out to be similar to Sheary or Rust then the Pens will be more than happy.

Aston Reese is one of a number of players to now choose the Penguins as a destination after their university days. He joins, from memory, Sheary, Archibald, Di Pauli, Prouw and Bengtsson who are part of that collective. When the players cost absolutely nothing in terms of picks or prospects given in return then you can only smile. Rutherford has really helped the Penguins going forward with his signings and it is possible that Aston-Reese is another success story.

It is also possible the Penguins target Mike Vecchione who finished one point behind Aston-Reese this season but having played in Union College it is possible he chooses a New York based team. The Penguins will no doubt be interested and Aston-Reese will be fun to watch develop.