Penguins sign forward Taffe, goalie Curry

The Pittsburgh Penguins, parent club of the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, have signed center Jeff Taffe and goaltender John Curry.

Taffe, 26, split the 2006-07 season between the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) and the San Antonio Rampage (AHL). He recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in 17 games with the Coyotes, and notched 40 points (20g, 20a) in 59 games with the Rampage, ranking fourth on San Antonio in points and third in goals.

A former first-round draft choice by the St. Louis Blues (30th overall in 2000), Taffe has appeared in 100 NHL contests with Phoenix and the New York Rangers, recording 15 goals and 13 assists. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Hastings, Minn., has appeared in 227 career AHL contests, registering 157 points (73g, 84a) with Springfield, Utah, Hartford and San Antonio.

Taffe played three seasons with the University of Minnesota, recording 113 points and 164 penalty minutes in 120 games. He finished second on the team with 58 points and first with 34 goals in 2001-02, helping the Gophers to the NCAA title.

curry_200.jpgCurry, 23, has been signed to an NHL entry-level contract following a standout collegiate career at Boston University. In 2006-07, Curry was named the Terriers’ most valuable player for the third consecutive season after posting a 17-10-8 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and an NCAA-high seven shutouts. His GAA ranked fourth in the nation while his .928 save percentage was sixth.

The Hobey Baker Award finalist was also named a First Team All-American and was the Hockey East conference’s Player of the Year. Additionally, the 5-foot-11, 183 pound native of Shorewood, Minn., was named New England’s most valuable player by the New England Hockey Writers Association.

In four seasons at BU, Curry posted a 59-29-8 record with a 2.07 GAA, a .923 save percentage and 13 shutouts. His career GAA and save percentage are the best in school history, while his shutout total tied the team record.