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Joe Vitale (C)

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Biography

2009-10: Recorded 32 points (6+26) and 70 penalty minutes in 74 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton… Led the Penguins in shorthanded assists (4) and tied for second on the team in shorthanded points (4)… Finished tied for second overall among AHL rookies in shorthanded assists…Was one of ten Penguins players to surpass the 30-point plateau.

2008-09: Finished his senior year at Northeastern University (HE) with 27 points (7+20) and 68 penalty minutes…Finished third on the Huskies in points, and second in assists and penalty minutes… Named Hockey East’s best defensive forward…Signed to an ATO by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on April 2 and appeared in the Penguins’ final five regular-season games…Made his AHL debut on April 4 vs. Hershey, going scoreless…Registered his first AHL goal & assist, finished plus-2, and was named the game’s number one star in a 4-2 win vs. Albany on April 10… Fashioned his second consecutive two-point game (1+1) and was plus-2 on April 11 vs. Norfolk…Appeared in all 12 Calder Cup Playoff contests, going scoreless with 12 penalty minutes.

2007-08: Led Northeastern in all categories with 35 points (12+23) and 75 penalty minutes…Was named All-New England and New England's Most Improved Player, earned second-team All-Hockey East honors and was voted the Huskies team MVP.

COLLEGE: Totaled 94 points (34+60) and 268 penalty minutes in 143 career games with Northeastern.