PITTSBURGH PENGUINS RECALL JANNE PESONEN AND BILL THOMAS

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled forward Janne Pesonen from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL), it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Pesonen, 26, leads the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with 27 assists and ranks third with 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists) in 34 games.  He has played six games in three stints with Pittsburgh this season, making his NHL debut in St. Louis on November 1.  Pesonen scored two points in three preseason appearances with Pittsburgh.           

 The 5-11, 180-pound forward led the Finnish Elite League last season, recording 78 points (34 goals, 44 assists) in 56 games with the Oulu Karpat.  He contributed 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) during the postseason, helping lead Karpat to its fifth league championship. 

The native of Suomussalmi, Finland was originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the ninth round (269th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.  Pesonen signed with the Penguins as a free agent July 7, 2008.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled forward Bill Thomas from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL), it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero. 

Thomas, 25, started the season with Pittsburgh, appearing in two games.  He has played in 33 contests for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, registering 14 points (five goals, nine assists) along with 18 penalty minutes and a plus-two rating. 

The Pittsburgh native played seven games with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2007-08 regular season, including 15:22 of ice time on December 3rd vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins.  He played 75 games with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League (AHL).  Thomas tallied 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists) along with 40 penalty minutes.  Thomas played in seven playoff games with San Antonio, scoring three points (one goal, two assists).  

The 6-1, 185-pound forward has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) and 10 penalty minutes in 42 career games in the NHL with Phoenix and Pittsburgh.  He made his NHL debut during the 2005-06 season.  Thomas has played 122 career games in the NHL, registering 85 points (37 goals, 48 assists) and 60 penalty minutes.  Thomas was originally signed by Phoenix as a free agent on March 27, 2006.