Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Penguins Sign Prospects Niclas Almari and Kasper Bjorkqvist

Eva Jeanne Markosky, a former engineering assistant with the Markosky Engineering Group, pursues such outdoor activities in her free time as fly-fishing and whitetail deer hunting. Also a fan of professional sports, Eva Jeanne Markosky enjoys cheering on the National Hockey League (NHL’s) Pittsburgh Penguins.



The Penguins added to its organizational depth in May by signing prospects Niclas Almari and Kasper Bjorkqvist to three- and two-year entry-level contracts, respectively. A fifth-round pick of the Penguins in the 2016 NHL Draft, Almari won the Liiga championship with HPK in Finland this past season. The 20-year-old defenseman played in all 18 playoff games and registered five points in 42 regular-season games. He's expected to join the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton next season.

Bjorkqvist, meanwhile, was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft. As a junior with Providence College last season, he scored a personal best 17 goals and added 13 assists for 30 points in 42 games. He also had two points in three games during the NCAA Tournament. Through three seasons with Providence College, Bjorkqvist managed 36 goals and 26 assists for 62 points.