PITTSBURGH PENGUINS RE-SIGN BEECH, STONE

Sign Free Agent and Pittsburgh Native Bill Thomas

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed centers Kris Beech and Ryan Stone, and have signed free agent right wing Bill Thomas, it was announced on Monday by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.

Beech, 27, joined Pittsburgh after being claimed off waivers on January 26, 2008.  He appeared in five games with the Penguins, going scoreless and minus-1.  He combined for 11 points (6+5) in 25 games with the Penguins, Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets last season.

The 6-3, 211 pound center previously suited up for Pittsburgh during the 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, and has recorded 27 points (10+17) in 100 games with the club.  He was originally acquired by Pittsburgh from the Washington Capitals with Ross Lupaschuk and Michal Sivek for Jaromir Jagr and Frantisek Kucera on July 11, 2001.

The native of Salmon Arm, British Columbia played parts of three seasons (2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05) with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and ranks fifth on the team’s all-time scoring list with 150 points (53+97) in 171 games.

A former first round selection (seventh overall in 1999) by the Capitals, Beech has recorded 67 points (25+42) in 198 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Washington, Vancouver, Columbus and Nashville.

Stone, 23, recorded a career-high 39 points (11+28) in 65 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season, ranking sixth on the team in points and tied for third in assists.  He also made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh during the 2007-08 campaign, posting one assist in six games with the NHL club.

The 6-2, 200 pound native of Calgary was selected in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2003 Entry Draft by Pittsburgh, and has recorded 108 points (32+76) in 181 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton over parts of three seasons.

Thomas, 25, split last season between the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) and the San Antonio Rampage (AHL).  He ranked second on San Antonio with 52 points, while leading the club with 24 goals.  He also appeared in seven games with Phoenix, going scoreless.

The 6-1, 185 pound right wing has combined for 17 points (9+8) in 40 career games with Phoenix, while recording 85 points (37+48) in 122 games with San Antonio.  He was signed by Phoenix as an undrafted free agent on March 27, 2006.

The Pittsburgh native played two seasons of college hockey with the University of Nebraska-Omaha, leading the team in goal scoring both seasons.  He combined for 95 points (46+49) in 80 games with the school, was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year in 2004-05 and earned First Team All Conference honors in 2005-06.

Season ticket packages for the 2008-09 season of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey are on sale now, and available by contacting the Penguins’ ticketing office at 570-208-7367.