AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Penguins Recall Konopka from Wheeling

January 22, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins News Release


WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have recalled center Zenon Konopka from their East Coast Hockey League affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers. The announcement was made today by Penguins' Head Coach Glenn Patrick.

Konopka, 22, leads the Nailers in scoring with 39 points (12+27) in 44 games. He is ranked among the team leaders in assists (first), game-winning goals (tied for first with three), power play goals (tied for second with four), penalty minutes (tied for third with 147) and shots (fifth with 90). Konopka recorded one assist for the Northern Conference team last night at the 2003 Compuware/ECHL All-Star Game held in Estero, Florida.

The 6'0", 190-pound native of Niagara Falls, Ontario recorded 86 points (18+68) and 100 penalty minutes in 61 games last season with Ottawa (OHL). Konopka led the team in assists, ranked second in points and penalty minutes, fourth in goals and fourth in plus/minus rating with a plus-23. He led the OHL in assists.

Konopka finished his four-year career with the 67's, playing in 242 games and recording 185 points (53+132) and 389 penalty minutes.

He was signed by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a two-way contract (AHL/ECHL) on September 16, 2002.

The Penguins (20-19-2-3) visit the Hershey Bears (21-15-8-1) tonight (7:30 p.m. start) in the first of three consecutive road games. Defenseman Mike Wilson and right wing Alexandre Daigle will not be in the lineup tonight for the Penguins. Wilson is out with a Grade 1 concussion, while Daigle is out with a hip flexor.

After tonight's game, the Penguins will travel to Syracuse to play the Crunch on Friday (7:30 p.m. start) and then will conclude their brief three-game road trip with a visit to Binghamton on Saturday (7:05 p.m. start).

The Penguins will begin a season-high six-game homestand next Wednesday, January 29, when they host the Crunch at 7:05 p.m. at the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza. Approximately 418 tickets are still available for next Wednesday's game against the Crunch. The Penguins have sold out their last 81 home games (league-record) played in Wilkes-Barre.

Tickets for all Penguins home games can be purchased at the First Union Arena Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations and telephone outlets. Ticket prices for the Penguins' 2002-03 season are set at $29.25 (Yellow Zone), $18.75 (Red Zone), $16.75 (Gold Zone) and $12.50 (Blue Zone). The First Union Arena Box Office is open Monday thru Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Payment accepted at the Arena Box Office includes cash, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. The First Union Arena Box Office does not accept telephone orders or personal checks.

Tickets can also be charged over the phone by calling Ticketmaster at (570) 693-4100, (215) 336-2000 and (607) 722-7272 and via the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com or by using the Ticketmaster link on www.wbspenguins.com.

Check out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2003


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