Penguins

Report: Penguins sign Dartmouth forward O’Connor

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Drew O'Connor. -- JIM MEAGHER / DARTMOUTH ATHLETICS

The Penguins signed Dartmouth sophomore forward Drew O'Connor to an entry-level contract on Monday, according to a report from TSN's Frank Seravalli.

O'Connor is 21 years old, so the entry-level deal must be for three years per NHL rules.

Seravalli recently called O'Connor a "legitimate NHL power forward" and ranked him the No. 4 available college free agent this summer:

"The ECAC’s Co-Player of the Year has sprouted into a can’t-miss find. O’Connor was just 5-foot-8 at age 18, a big reason he wasn’t on NHL radars in his draft year, but has grown to 6-foot-3 while playing for the appropriately named Big Green. NHL teams have flocked to watch O’Connor, who they see as a legitimate NHL power forward prospect with a nose for the net. His 38 goals (in 68 games) are the third most in the country over the last two seasons – with a 16 percent shooting percentage this season – but his overall game has grown as much as his body. There is definitely no shortage of NHL interest in O’Connor, but there is no guarantee the sophomore will decide to leave school early."

O'Connor is 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and has a left-handed shot. He played exclusively wing as a freshman, but has spent some time at center this season.

O'Connor, who turns 22 this summer, will leave school early and turn pro next season as a result of signing the contract. He will presumably play for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on an amateur tryout contract to finish this season.

Mark Divver of Rinkside Rhode Island was first to report on Sunday that the Penguins were in on O'Connor.

I'll have more on O'Connor's game in tomorrow's Drive to the Net.

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