Every fall it seems, non-roster players get invited to Penguins training camp hoping to make an impression and perhaps earn a contract. This season is no exception.
As I scanned our list of training camp invitees, I noticed the names of eight players who I’ve never heard of. One is still in junior, others have just completed their junior careers and still others have been banging around the pro ranks for a few years.
Teams generally don’t invite players to camp unless they have something to offer. Obviously, someone in the organization be it a scout, coach or exec has seen these guys play and thought enough of them to extend an invitation.
Anyway, I became curious to learn more about them. Given that our Pens iced lineups in split-squad games yesterday against the Blue Jackets that were largely comprised of fringe players, I thought it might be an appropriate time to shed a little light on who these guys are and where they come from.
Peter Abbandonato (Center, 5’10” 194, 25)
A former junior hockey scoring champion, Abbandonato led the Quebec League in scoring with 111 points (29+82) in 2018-19 while pacing the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to the Memorial Cup.
