Penguins Recall Jonathan Gruden; No Corresponding Moves

In a curious move without a corresponding demotion or transaction, the Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forward Jonathan Gruden from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Sunday.

Gruden, 22, spent the entire season with the WBS Penguins. In 32 games, he has 16 points, including 11 goals, and is plus-2. His 11 goals are an AHL career-high and rank third on the team behind only Alex Nylander (14) and Valtteri Puustinen (13). He has five goals and six points in his last three games.

He was the prospect acquired with a second-round pick when the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Matt Murray to the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 7, 2020. Gruden was Ottawa’s 2018 fourth-round pick (95th overall).

The 6-foot, 172-pound forward is in his third professional season, all with WBS. He has 57 career points (27-30-57) in 139 games.

Before his professional career, Jonathan Gruden appeared in 59 games with the London Knights (OHL) in 2019-20, where he recorded 30 goals, 36 assists, 66 points, and was plus-20. He also played a year of collegiate hockey with Miami University of Ohio in 2018-19, suiting up for 38 games and notching 15 points (3G-12A).

The native of Rochester, Michigan, spent two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program, which included winning a silver medal at the World Under-18 Championship in 2018.

His father, John Gruden, is an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins.

The Penguins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Saturday night. Marcus Pettersson missed the game due to illness, and Kris Letang and Jeff Petry remained out with injuries.