Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins

PENGUINS SIGN JOE VITALE TO ATO

group WILKES-BARRE, PA - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed center Joe Vitale to an amateur tryout contract, it was announced on Thursday.

Vitale, 23, recently completed his senior season at Northeastern University, finishing third on the team in points (27) and second in assists (20) and penalty minutes (68). He was named Hockey East’s Best Defensive Forward.

The 6-1, 196 pound native of St. Louis, MO, led the Huskies in scoring during his junior season, posting 12 goals, 23 assists and 35 points. He was named All-New England and New England's Most Improved Player, earned second-team All-Hockey East honors and was voted the Northeastern team MVP.

Selected by Pittsburgh in the seventh round (195th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Vitale recorded 94 points (34+60) in 143 games during four seasons with Northeastern.

The Penguins return to action this Saturday night when they host the Hershey Bears at 7:05pm.