Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins

LOVEJOY, PESONEN NAMED TO AHL SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

group WILKES-BARRE, PA - Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy and left wing Janne Pesonen have been named to the American Hockey League’s Second All-Star Team, it was announced on Thursday. All-Star Team members were selected by a vote of coaches, players and media members from the league’s 29 member cities.

Lovejoy, 25, currently leads all AHL players with a plus-43 rating in 72 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. The second year pro has also bettered his rookie season totals across the board with seven goals, 22 assists and 29 points this season.

Selected to play in the AHL All-Star Classic in Worcester, Massachusetts in January, Lovejoy made his National Hockey League debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 8 against the Buffalo Sabres. He was scoreless and even in two games with Pittsburgh this season.

The 6-2, 215 pound native of Orford, New Hampshire was signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent on July 7, 2008.

Pesonen, 26, ranks seventh in the AHL with 74 points (29+45) in 65 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. He set a new Penguins team record by picking up his 68th point on the season on March 16 in Albany, and tied the team record for points in a game with five (1+4) on March 11 at Philadelphia.

Playing his first season of North American hockey, Pesonen is tied for eighth in the league in goals, tied for 12th in assists, tied for 14th in power play goals (12) and is 10th in shootout percentage (8 of 10). He made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh on November 1 at St. Louis. He has appeared seven games with Pittsburgh this season, going scoreless.

The 5-11, 180 pound native of Suomussalmi, Finland made led the Finnish league with 34 goals and 78 points last season with Oulu Karpat, and helped the team to its fifth league championship. He was signed by the Penguins as a free agent on July 7, 2008.