The Pittsburgh Penguins have dipped into the undrafted college free agent market once again, this time signing Jake Lucchini out of Michigan Tech University to a one-year entry-level contract. The deal will not kick in until 2019-20, but Lucchini will join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of this season.
Lucchini, 23, is a Hobey Baker nominee this season and has put up 26 points in 38 games as captain of Michigan Tech. He also previously captained the legendary Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL, where he recorded 83 points in 58 games during his final season. Lucchini took part in the Penguins development camp last summer, and will now join the organization as another no-risk lottery ticket.
Given the team’s success over the last several years and lack of high-end draft picks, the Penguins have continually added to their organization through college free agency. Conor Sheary, Zach Aston-Reese, Casey DeSmith, Chad Ruhwedel and Carter Rowney all come to mind as assets that the team acquired for nothing but a contract, and have played big parts on the team over the last few years. There’s no guarantee that Lucchini can make that kind of impact, but they’ll take a chance on him like they have so many others.
Lucchini pouring from the sky let’s get rich what