Penguins Sign Forward Anton Zlobin

Press Release

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Anton Zlobin, to a three-year entry-level contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

The deal begins with the 2013-14 season and runs through the 2015-16 campaign.

Zlobin, 20, was one of the top scorers in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) this season while playing for the Val-d’Or Foreurs, finishing ninth overall in regular-season scoring with 91 points (29G-62A) in 61 games.

Twice this season the 5-foot-11, 189-pound Zlobin was honored with weekly QMJHL awards. He was named ‘First Star’ for the week ending Dec. 31 after tallying four goals and nine points in two games. Later in the year he was named ‘Second Star’ for the week ending Feb. 17 after posting 12 points (3G-9A) in four games.

Zlobin, who was drafted by the Penguins in the sixth round (173rd overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, added 10 points (2G-8A) in 10 postseason games for the Foreurs. Zlobin also suited up for Team Russia during the Subway Super Series, collecting an assist in the first game.

A native of Moscow, Russia, Zlobin played his first two seasons in North America with the Shawinigan Cataractes, leading the team in scoring in 2011-12 with 40 goals and 76 points in 66 games.

Zlobin helped the Cataractes capture a Memorial Cup championship in ’11-12. He scored both goals – including the game-winner in overtime – in a 2-1 victory over London in the championship game of the Memorial Cup. Zlobin led all players with five goals and tallied nine total points in six Memorial Cup contests.

Zlobin finished his junior career with 212 regular-season points (92G-120A) in 186 games. He added 26 points (10G-16A) in 33 postseason contests.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)