Finally, Angello in NHL

Forward’s debut could come Friday

Soon after Anthony Angello got the word that he had been promoted to the Penguins for the first time, it was his turn to break the news.

He dialed his mom, Pamela, and his dad, David, on a conference call. His father couldn’t help but get a little bit emotional, knowing that his son now is on the cusp of achieving a childhood dream. But, as he choked back tears, David quickly shifted back into dad-mode to deliver some fatherly wisdom.

“He’s given me a lot of words of advice,” Angello said. “One of the things that’s stuck around, especially after Kobe Bryant’s death, is [not to take anything] for granted. He said when you’re out there taking your warm-up lap by yourself, just take a minute to look around and take it all in. I will absolutely be doing that.”

Angello, 23, was selected by the Penguins in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. After three years at Cornell, the 6foot-5, 210-pound forward played his first full season with the Penguins AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last year, where he tallied 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 65 games.

The production was solid. But the Penguins felt there was still more there. Before this season, first-year Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

coach Mike Vellucci challenged Angello to use that big frame to his advantage more often.

“I definitely think I have been,” Angello said. “I’ve been playing to hit people and get the puck. I’ve been going through hands. That’s led to way more offense.”

Partially as a result of the more physical approach and partially because he has become more comfortable in this second season as a pro, Angello has consistently been one of the Penguins’ most-productive prospects. He has tallied 25 points in 45 games, including a team-high 16 goals.

“I haven’t been overthinking it,” Angello said.

“Just been playing hockey. As simple as that sounds, that’s the style I need to play. It’s been working out.”

Angello has been making a case for some time that he deserves a look at the NHL level. During a season filled with injury, the Penguins have given opportunities to a number of different forwards, including Sam Lafferty, Joseph Blandisi, Andrew Agozzino, Adam Johnson and Stefan Noesen, but until now not Angello.

Now, with shifty winger Dominik Kahun still working his way back from a concussion and Nick Bjugstad still not ready to return from core-muscle surgery, the Penguins opted to keep Lafferty in the AHL to get some more game experience. They also decided to keep Blandisi in WilkesBarre/Scranton for now, promoting Agozzino to play center instead.

It has opened the door for Angello to get his shot.

“He’s been one of their best players for quite some time now,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “When we needed this recall, as we always do, we have that discussion with Mike Vellucci and his staff down there and some of our scouting staff that watches Wilkes-Barre closely. It was fairly unanimous that he’s played extremely well and is deserving of it.”

As the Penguins reconvened atUPMC Lemieux Sports Complex Thursday for the first practice since the All-Star break, Angello played right wing on a fourth line that also included left winger Alex Galchenyuk and Agozzino at center.

Agozzino and Angello have some familiarity from playing together in the AHL. They were on the same line together for a significant chunk of December.

“He’s a big body,” Agozzino said of Angello. “He protects the puck well, too. And he’s got a real good shot. When we got in scoring areas, we were able to find one another … We definitely had a little bit of chemistry down there, for sure.”

Angello anticipates his parents, sisters and some family friends will make the trip Friday night to PPG Paints Arena, when the Penguins play host to the Philadelphia Flyers. Should Angello get the nod for his first NHL game action, he said the plan is to stick to what got him here.

“I just played simple hockey,” Angello said. “Moved my feet. I was hard on pucks. I played a physical game. I was hard to play against. That’s the recipe that got me here. That’s the recipe I have to play here.”

“I’ve worked really hard to get here. I’m going to work really hard to stay here.”