Drew O’Connor ’22 Named to Penguins’ Taxi Squad to Start 2021 NHL Season

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Former Dartmouth forward Drew O'Connor '22 has been named to the Pittsburgh Penguins taxi squad out of training camp to start the 2020-21 National Hockey League (NHL) season.

The taxi squad, a new addition to the league this year due to the 56-game shortened schedule and travel concerns for minor league affiliates, can consist of a maximum of six players for the 2020-21 season. These players will practice in Pittsburgh separately from the 23-man roster and travel with the team in case an emergency recall is needed. Because they are stationed out of Pittsburgh, they will not need to quarantine before entering the lineup.

O'Connor signed a contract with the Penguins following his outstanding sophomore 2019-20 campaign with the Big Green, in which he became the first Dartmouth player ever to lead ECAC Hockey in goals in a season (21).

He finished the year with 33 points (21-12-33) to become the first Big Green player in half a decade to reach 30 in a single season, while O'Connor's 21 goals made him the first program player since Scott Fleming (22) in 2008-09 to reach the 20-goal plateau.

For his play and goal-scoring prowess, the New Jersey native was named the Ivy League Co-Player of the Year, as well as an All-ECAC Hockey and All-Ivy League First Team selection, earning a unanimous selection on the latter. He was a three-time ECAC Hockey Player of the Week in 2019-20, the only conference player to be recognized more than once, while also earning All-New England recognition.

The Penguins open the season Wednesday in Philadelphia against the Flyers in a game that will be seen on NBCSN at 5:30 p.m. as part of the NHL's opening night lineup of games.

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