The Penguins have signed one of their prospects from their most recent draft class. The team announced that they’ve signed defenseman Chase Pietila to a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but the deal will begin next season.
The 21-year-old was a fourth-round pick (111th overall) back in June in his final year of eligibility. He spent two years with USHL Youngstown, the second of which saw him break through with 36 points along with 125 penalty minutes in 60 games in the 2022-23 season.
From there, Pietila moved on to Michigan Tech where a solid freshman year that saw him notch 22 points in 40 games got him on the draft radar. This season, he potted seven goals and 15 assists in 36 contests and is wasting little time getting his professional career started now.
As a result of the deal starting next season, Pietila won’t be eligible to suit up for Pittsburgh at all down the stretch. However, he is eligible to sign an ATO agreement with either AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton or ECHL Wheeling and will likely do so in the coming days.