WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON GRADS KENNEDY & LETANG NAMED TO
‘NHL YoungStars’

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton skaters, and current Pittsburgh Penguins’ rookies, Tyler Kennedy and Kristopher Letang are among the 16 'NHL YoungStars' invited to the 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend, the National Hockey League announced today.

Comprising the best of the League's stellar rookie class in 2007-08, the eight-player Eastern and Western Conference YoungStar teams will face off in a new three-on-three event as part of the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills competition on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Philips Arena in Atlanta (7 p.m., ET, VERSUS, CBC, RDS). The YoungStars will be shooting against goaltenders named to participate in the NHL All-Star Game the following day.

Kennedy began the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, recording seven points (3+4) in seven games with the AHL Penguins this season, and earned Rbk Player of the Week honors after recording five points (3+2) in the team’s first three games.  The native of Sault Ste. Marie, ON, has also played in 30 games with Pittsburgh this season, recording 12 points (8+4), including four game winning goals.  His four game winning goals are the best among all rookies in the League. 

Kennedy appeared in 40 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the 2006-07 campaign, recording 37 points (12+25) during his first year as a professional.  The 5-11, 183 pound center was selected by the Penguins in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2004 Entry Draft.

Letang also began the 2007-08 season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, recording seven points (1+6) in 10 games with the club.  The Montreal native has appeared in 26 games for Pittsburgh, notching eight points (2+6) and 10 penalty minutes.  The 5-11, 190 pound defenseman has scored on four out of five shootout attempts, including two game deciding shootout goals.  He was selected by the Penguins in the third round (62nd overall) of the 2005 Entry Draft.