Pittsbugh Penguins' release (penguins.nhl.com)

Northeastern University alum Joe Vitale (2005-09) has been recalled by the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins as announced by Penguins' general manager Ray Shero on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

Vitale, who skated in 50 contests and registered 27 points (8-19-27) for American Hockey League affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, will join teammates Ryan Craig, Nick Johnson and Brett Sterling as part of the call-up. Along with his 27 points, Vitale was a plus-12 in 50 games and tallied a pair of shorthanded tallies.

The St. Louis, Mo. native captained Northeastern's 2008-09 NCAA Tournament run and was one of the Huskies' linchpins when they earned the No. 2 ranking in the country that year. Vitale finished his career on Huntington Ave. with 94 points (34-60-94) in 143 career games as a two-time captain. Vitale was also named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team in 2008 and voted team MVP that same year.

If Vitale makes his way into Pittsburgh's lineup in the near future, he will be the first graduate from the 2009 class to represent Northeastern on hockey's biggest stage. Huskies' teammate and classmate, Brad Thiessen (2006-09), has been staffing the net with Vitale in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton since both departed Matthews Arena.

Vitale was a seventh-round draft pick (195th overall) of Pittsburgh in 2008.

Mike Ryan (1999-03) was the last Husky to skate in an NHL contest. Ryan played in 18 games for the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2008-09 season.