Nick Drazenovic could line up next to Sidney Crosby next season in Pittsburgh.
The Prince George native has signed a one year, two-way deal with the Penguins for the 2013-14 season that would pay him $550,000 at the NHL level.
Drazenovic spent last season in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, playing eight NHL games and 62 regular-season games with the AHL Springfield Falcons. With the Falcons the 26-year-old had career highs in assists (36) and points (53) and was the second leading scorer on the team and 17th in the league. He added four points (two goals) in eight playoff games.
The six-foot-one, 205-pound Drazenovic was drafted in the sixth round (171st overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues. He made his NHL debut with the Blues in the 2010-11 season, playing three games. Drazenovic played 11 NHL games with St. Louis and Columbus.
Drazenovic has played six seasons in the AHL with the Falcons and Peoria Rivermen, accumulating 254 points (100 goals) in 381 regular-season games and reached double digits in goals in all six seasons. He has had four 40-point seasons. In 17 post-season games he has six points (three goals).
Before embarking on his professional career, Drazenovic played five seasons with the Prince George Cougars in the Western Hockey League from 2002-07, tallying 77 goals, 137 assists and 214 points in 281 regular-season games.
