Penguins ink defensemen Ardelan, Engelland

The Pittsburgh Penguins, parent club of the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, have signed defensemen Mark Ardelan and Deryk Engelland.

Ardelan, 24, played 79 games during the 2006-07 season with the AHL’s Iowa Stars, ranking fourth on the club in scoring with 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) while leading the team in assists. His point total ranked 14th among all AHL defensemen.

The 5-11, 200-pound native of Regina, Sask., spent the previous season with the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs and recorded 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 62 games played. He also appeared in one AHL game with Portland in 2004-05.

Engelland, 25, spent the 2006-07 season with the Hershey Bears, scoring 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 44 games played. He also collected 95 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating.

In addition, Engelland played 14 playoff games, registering 14 penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating as Hershey advanced to the Calder Cup Finals.

The 6-2, 197-pound native of Chetwynd, B.C., also spent part of the 2005-06 season with Hershey recording four assists, 77 PIM and a plus-2 rating in 37 games played. He also appeared in one playoff game as Hershey captured the Calder Cup championship.

Engelland was originally selected by the New Jersey Devils in the sixth round (194th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.