PITTSBURGH REASSIGNES MINARD, BISSONNETTE, THOMAS TO WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned forwards Chris Minard, Paul Bissonnette and Bill Thomas to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL), it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Minard played six games during his third stint this season with Pittsburgh, scoring his first goal of the season Jan. 18 versus the New York Rangers.  The 6-1, 190-pound forward led the AHL with 26 goals and was tied for second with 41 points (26 goals, 15 assists) at the time of his recall.  Minard led the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins in goals and points, while posting a plus-11 rating as of Dec. 9.  He has been named a starter for the Canadian All-Stars team at the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic on January 26.

Bissonnette, 23, appeared in five games recording his first NHL point/assist, Jan. 13 against the Philadelphia Flyers.  He has played a total of 13 games over three stints with the Penguins this season.  He has registered 20 penalty minutes while posting a plus or even rating in 12 of 13 contests.  Bissonnette began the season with Pittsburgh, making his NHL debut on Oct. 4 against Ottawa at the NHL Premiere in Stockholm, Sweden.  Bissonnette led Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with 103 penalty minutes, while recording six points (three goals, three assists) in 22 games this season at the time of his recall.

Thomas, 25, played in three contests during his second stint with Pittsburgh.  He began 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.