By Sam Werner and Jason Mackey
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WASHINGTON — The Penguins officially brought in their “Black Aces” Saturday, recalling 13 players from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The players called up included forwards Josh Jooris, Daniel Sprong, Thomas Di Pauli, Adam Johnson, Teddy Blueger, Garrett Wilson and Jean-Sebastien Dea; defensemen Lukas Bengtsson, Chris Summers, Jarred Tinordi and Andrey Pedan; and goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Michael Leighton.
Wilkes-Barre’s season ended Thursday night with a 7-3 loss to Charlotte, giving the Checkers a three-game sweep in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs.
The move isn’t necessarily meant to bring in on-ice reinforcements (though injuries could certainly necessitate that) but to provide younger players with an opportunity to see the ins and outs of a Stanley Cup playoff run firsthand.