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When Ryan Parent was released by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during training camp, he didn’t let his disappointment show.
Instead, Parent made sure to leave on a good note – something he said is important in the hockey world.
“The hockey world is a small world, and there’s ways you can go about leaving teams,” he said. “You make good impressions wherever you are and maybe things can work out for you down the line.”
Parent’s approach paid off on Thursday as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton signed the 29-year-old veteran blueliner to an AHL deal for the remainder of the season.
The contract brings about a level of stability that Parent, who is a former first-round draft pick (Nashville, 2005), after splitting last season between three teams and playing under a PTO with the Penguins this year.
When you’re on a PTO you’re always worried about it being your last. Now, you can focus on hockey and the playoff run,” Parent said. “After I was released (in training camp) I had no idea I’d be coming back here this year. But it worked out and this is the perfect situation for me and my family.”
Parent has appeared in six games with the Penguins this season. Last year, he played in six games with Ontario in the ECHL, went to St. John’s for 22 games and then joined the Penguins for the playoffs, appearing in two contests.
Parent said he didn’t expect to be on one team last season, but admitted it’s comforting to be in one spot for a while.
“It is nice knowing you’re going to make a playoff run and focus on that as opposed to wondering where you’re going to be next week,” he said. “It’s kind of weird how the hockey world works out sometimes.”
Head coach Clark Donatelli cited Parent’s veteran presence and awareness on the ice as attributes he brings to the team.
“He’s a reliable guy who makes the right plays,” Donatelli said. “He’s a great guy in the locker room to. We wanted to wrap him up and he’s a really good player down the stretch for us.”
NOTES
– Donatelli said he expects to learn in the next few days which junior and college players will be joining the Penguins after their seasons are over. He said there are some free agents on the team’s radar and anticipates a few signing with the team.
As far as if a player directly out of college or juniors can contribute right away, Donatelli said that remains to be seen.
“It’s going to be an adjustment for them. Not long ago Conor Sheary came in and did a really good job, but he’s a special player,” Donatelli said. “It’s a big jump, but every player is different. We’ve got to get them practicing and then we’ll have a better read on it.”