Austin Lemieux, 21, grows up under microscope

last Only name, Austin referring omittedto thehis building solely as UPMC Sports Complex.

Seems the humility and the love of hockey both found a way to translate, and the latter took a significant step forward this season.

After scoring six goals and producing 14 points in 57 USHL games, Lemieux dropped down to play in the USPHL’s Premier division with the Islanders Hockey Club of Tyngsborough, Mass.

That resulted in Lemieux, 21, scoring 20 goals and totaling 74 points in 12 fewer games, a 60-point improvement.

The drop in competition likelythe Lemieux offensive contributedalso has uptick, been some butnoticeably to more comfortable this week, standing out because of his skating and stickhandling as opposed to the name on the back of his sweater.

Talk to him, and the maturation isn’t hard to detect.

“I’m in my second time around here,” Lemieux said.

“It’s a little more comfortable. Just trying to get out there and see what I have to do to develop. It’s great to be with those guys out there. I’m really learning a lot.”

And he would like to learn more.

Actually gain more, as in weight.

That remains one puzzle Austin hasn’t solved — how to fill out his 6-3 figure. Lemieux has packed on a few pounds, but there’s plenty of room to grow. In this case, literally.

“I try and do that every day,” Lemieux said of the idea of gaining weight. “Working out so much, you have to put more calories in your body. It’s tough to do. It’s going to come along.”

There’s a good chance college can help that.

It also will help for Lemieux to sink his teeth into something new; Arizona State is an up-and-coming program, and Lemieux figures to be one of its building blocks.

Even his dad’s shadow can’t extend that far.

“We should be good in the next few years here,” Lemieux said. “I’m excited to get out there and try to help theteam out as best I can.”

If Lemieux does, it likely will be, at least in part, because of tips and tidbits he has picked up here this week.

Instead of acting like his name’s on the building — even though it is — Lemieux has put his head down and went to work.

On his skating. On his stickhandling. And listening to instruction.

Lemieux knows there’s plenty more to do, too.

“The game every year gets faster,” Lemieux said. “I have to get stronger. I need to get stronger with my legs. It’s going to help me in the long run.”

Taylor leaves for Buffalo

Jason Botterill, Randy Sexton … now, Chris Taylor. The Penguins lost another member of their organization to the Buffalo Sabres. This time, it was Wilkes-Barre/Scranton assistant Chris Taylor, who left to become the head coach of the Rochester Americans.

Taylor had spent the previous four seasons with Rochester when the Penguins hired him in August 2016. J.D. Forrest will remain as Clark Donatelli’s lone assistant.