LOVEJOY RETURNED TO WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-assigned defenseman Ben Lovejoy 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.

Lovejoy, 24, played two games with Pittsburgh, including his NHL debut on Dec. 8 versus Buffalo. 

He has posted 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) along with 36 penalty minutes in 24 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.  He led all Penguins defensemen in scoring and was tied for 11th in the AHL at the time of his recall.  Lovejoy also led the team and was tied for fourth in the AHL with a plus-14 rating before joining Pittsburgh.

The 6-2, 214-pound defenseman registered 20 points (two goals, 18 assists) and 63 penalty minutes in 72 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season.  Lovejoy helped the Penguins reach the Calder Cup Finals by tallying 10 points (two goals, eight assists) along with 18 penalty minutes in 23 playoff appearances in 2007-08.

The native of Canaan, New Hampshire spent three seasons at Dartmouth College, recording 54 points (11+43) in 96 games with the Big Green.  He also played one season at Boston College (2002-03), recording six assists in 22 games before transferring to Dartmouth.

Lovejoy signed as a free agent with Pittsburgh on July 14, 2008.