Official Release

BOSTON – After completing one of the most outstanding individual seasons in Northeastern hockey history, Hobey Baker candidate Zach Aston-Reese signed a two-year, entry level contract with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Aston-Reese will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate, this weekend.
 
The Staten Island, New York native recorded 63 points in 38 games in 2016-17, currently tied for the most in the nation and most for a Northeastern Husky since 1985-86, making him one of the most sought after NCAA free agents. He is also tied for or owns the nation's lead in total goals (31), goals per game (0.82), shorthanded goals (four) and hat tricks (three).

"We couldn't be happier for Zach to take the next step in his hockey career," said head coach Jim Madigan. "The work that he's put in on and off the ice during his time at Northeastern, especially over the last two seasons, has paved the way for this opportunity. We're proud to have had him in our program, and thank him for his commitment to Northeastern hockey and the leadership that he brought to the rink every day. We wish him all the best moving forward."
 
His performance this season ranks him tied for sixth in single-season scoring at Northeastern (63) and tied for seventh in single-season goals (31), and finished his collegiate career ranked 12th in both career points (148) and career goals (66), while ranked in a tie for 18th all-time at Northeastern in assists (82).
 
Over the last five seasons in college hockey, only 10 Division I players have reached 60 points in a single-season. Of those, only four have reached 60 points in as many or fewer games than Aston-Reese (35): Mike Vecchione (35 games in 2016-17), Kyle Conner (34 games in 2015-16), Jack Eichel (34 games in 2014-15) and Johnny Gaudreau (31 games in 2013-14). Two went on to win the Hobey Baker Award and a third reached the Hobey Hat Trick.
 
He's also just one of four players in the last five seasons to reach 50 points in less than 30 games (Vecchione in 2016-17, Kyle Connor in 2015-16 and Gaudreau in 2013-14). In addition, Aston-Reese is the only Husky in the last 30 years to record three hat tricks in a season, and the only player in program history to score a hat trick in consecutive games.
 
On Feb. 24 at Maine, Aston-Reese became just the eighth player in program history to record 100 points in two seasons, and first since 1990. He recorded 43 points last year on 14 goals and 29 assists before this year's 63-point performance (31 goals, 32 assists). He's also just the fourth player in team history to record 30 goals and 30 assists in the same season, and first since Jay Heinbuck in 1985-86.
 
In addition to being a contender for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, Aston-Reese is also a semifinalist for the Walter Brown Award, given annually to the top American born player in New England. He was also a two-time Hockey East Player of the Month (November and February), the National Player of the Month in February, and a three-time Hockey East Player of the Week this season.
 
Northeastern's connections to the Penguins organization run deep. In addition to head coach Jim Madigan scouting for the Penguins from 1993 to 2011, including winning a Stanley Cup in 2009, Bruce Racine (1985) and Joe Vitale (2005) were both drafted by Pittsburgh, while Brad Thiessen signed a free agent contract with the organization after his playing days on Huntington Avenue.