Drew O’Connor is now a full-time member of the Pittsburgh Penguins — and things couldn’t be much better.
“It’s been good,” said O’Connor, a native of Chatham, N.J. “I have a decent amount of NHL experience, and it’s the first time I’ve made the team out of camp.
“It’s been lot of fun, battling day in and day out. We’re playing good hockey, and continuing to push for a playoff spot.”
Pittsburgh entered Wednesday night's games three points back of the final East playoff spot.
A 6-foot-3, 200-pound left wing, O’Connor split his first three pro seasons between the Penguins and their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes Barre-Scranton. In 73 career AHL regular-season games, he recorded 27 goals and 46 assists for 73 points to go with 51 penalty minutes, while putting up eight goals and 17 points in 78 NHL contests in the same span. He also suited up for the U.S. at the 2023 World Championship, collecting three goals and eight points in 10 games.