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ECHL Star Gets Unexpected Call to the Show After Tragedy Strikes Organization

Emerging from an impressive run in the ECHL, prospect Klassen gets the nod from the WBS Penguins to showcase his talents on the AHL stage.

In the latest week of play, the Nailers found success with a 2-1-0-0 record, largely thanks to the standout performances of Klassen. This rookie sensation notched four goals and two assists, rounding up an impressive seven points over the past five games. With 19 goals and 24 assists over 65 games, Klassen is making quite the splash in his first professional season.

Looking back to March, Klassen had a notable milestone by making his American Hockey League debut on the 1st against the Hershey Bears. Though his stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton team saw him play two games, including a match against the Belleville Senators on March 4, the points eluded him. However, Klassen put three shots on target and ended at a minus-1.

thehockeynews.comFormer Penguins GM Shero Passes Away At 62

In other solemn news, the hockey community was struck with the passing of Ray Shero, the former Stanley Cup-winning General Manager, at the age of 62. This announcement came shortly after the Pittsburgh Penguins paid tribute to their former goalie and sports journalist Greg Millen.

Back to Klassen, his journey began in Prince Albert, SK, and he spent five seasons fine-tuning his skills with the WHL's Portland Winterhawks. During his time there, he proved to be a leader, captaining the team for two years and amassing an impressive 265 points over 248 games, with 118 goals and 147 assists. That’s a remarkable 1.07 points-per-game average, showing his promise from early on.

Klassen's transition into pro hockey seems seamless, and if his current form continues, the Nailers—and their fans—have plenty to look forward to. Keep an eye out for this undrafted forward whose past performance hints at an exciting career to come, and rest assured, he's just getting started.

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