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In April 2008, Dustin Jeffrey wrapped up his junior career and flew to Wilkes-Barre to join the Penguins for their Calder Cup playoff run.
While Jeffrey, who was 20 at the time, arrived on schedule for his first practice, his skates didn’t show up. Jeffrey borrowed a used pair of skates from the rink and made it through his first pro practice.
When Jeffrey reports to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the coming days, chances are his skates won’t be left behind this time.
Jeffrey was acquired by Pittsburgh from Arizona for Matia Marcantuoni during Monday’s NHL trade deadline. When Jeffrey first came to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2008 he was a scoring sensation in juniors. Today, he’s doing the same thing at the AHL level.
“When he comes here we’ll be happy to have him,” Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Clark Donatelli said. “He’s a veteran guy who has been here before and can really help.”
Jeffrey, 28, is currently 10th in the AHL with 46 points in 45 games with Springfield and 274 points in 317 career AHL games. He spent parts of four seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, posting 154 points in 182 regular season games. He ranks fifth in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton history in points and third in assists. Jeffrey has also appeared in 131 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Dallas and Arizona, posting 33 points.
Jeffrey represented Springfield during the AHL all-star game in Syracuse in January where he spoke about his time with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
“That was a big part of my career,” he told reporters at the event. “The way they brought their young guys along, and they’re still doing it, is the way it should be done. They play the game the right way.”
Marcantuoni was Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick in 2012 and split the last two seasons between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Wheeling. He appeared in 17 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this year, posting two goals and five points.
“It’s good Matia gets a fresh start. We’re going to miss his work ethic and he’s a great penalty killer,” Donatelli said. “A great person on and off the ice.”
In other trade deadline moves:
– Pittsburgh traded Sergei Plotnikov to Arizona for forward Matthias Plachta, who has spent his first season in North America with Springfield. With the Falcons, Plachta had seven points in 46 games. Plachta, 24, spent the rest of his career in Germany where he scored 35 points last season while playing for a team coached by Penguins assist coach Jay Leach.
– Conor Sheary was reassigned by Pittsburgh and is expected to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Also, Matt Murray, Bryan Rust, Scott Wilson and Derrick Pouliot were also reassigned but then recalled back to Pittsburgh on Monday. The move makes them eligible to play for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the playoffs.
“We’re thrilled. Sheary gives us a big spark and he’s a dynamic player at this level. For however long he’s here it’s a great addition,” Donatelli said. “As far as the other guys, we hope Pittsburgh is in the playoffs for a long time but it’s a good thing going down the path if need be.”
– Defenseman David Warsofsky was claimed off waivers by New Jersey. Warsofsky had been in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning assignment. He had six points in 17 games with the AHL Penguins this season. Donatelli wasn’t surprised Warsofsky was claimed. “He’s really good at this level and selfishly we’d love to have him, but it’s nice to see him get another NHL shot,” he said.
– Donatelli said defenseman Barry Goers is scheduled be ready to play this weekend
– Pittsburgh also acquired Dan O’Donoghue and James Melindy with Jeffrey. Both were re-assigned to Wheeling.
