The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to comb the ranks of the undrafted college free agent, this time signing Colin Swoyer after Michigan Tech’s season came to an end over the weekend. Swoyer has agreed to a one-year entry-level contract that will be for the 2022-23 season and carries an average annual value of $750K at the NHL level. He’ll now join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an amateur tryout for the rest of this season.
Swoyer, 23, spent four years at Michigan Tech, following a part of seasons in the USHL. Completely overlooked by scouts during his draft years–Swoyer wasn’t even listed on NHL Central Scouting’s top-200 North American skaters–his development in college has now led to an outstanding opportunity for the young defenseman.
The Penguins, known for their willingness to take chances on college free agents, have just seven defensemen in the entire organization signed through 2022-23 (eight now). While several of the younger minor league options will get new deals as restricted free agents, there is always room for a player like Swoyer to make an impact in an organization that sheds draft picks so frequently.
Whether he can make that impact remains to be seen, but the soon-to-be 24-year-old will get at least a year to try. Despite turning 25 before his entry-level contract ends, Swoyer will not qualify for Group VI unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2023; he will be a restricted free agent when this first contract expires.