14th October: Penguins update

Welcome to the first edition of our new weekly column South Pole. This week we will take a look at the Penguin's newest additions, both on the roster and off of it. The most significant of all the new add ons for the Pens this season, will no doubt be aspiring new head coach, Ivan Hlinka. Hlinka joined the Penguins midway through the Pen's 1999-2000 season, and immediately left his mark on the black and gold. From the moment he had been brought over from his native CzechRepublic, Hlinka attempted to rejuvinate an apathetic core of finesse hockey players with nothing else but good old hard nosed hockey! Not long after Ivan arrived, Dennis the menace Bonvie was brought back from his extended stay in the minor leagues. Bob Boughner, who was a contributing force for the Pens in the playoffs last year, was acquired from Nashville for prospect Pavel Skrbek - one of too many young Penguin defencemen caught in the midst of a rebuilding farm system. (If for nothing else, Bob will be remembered for his thundering mid-ice hit on an unsuspecting Keith Primeau!) In another deal to add some toughness up front, the Pens sent Brad Werenka to the Calgary flames for checking forward Rene Corbet. Speaking of tough guys, there were several to show up at Pen's training camp in September. Two of those have since made the final roster cuts and should see plenty of action in the still young season. Billy Tibbets, an ex-convict, and ECHL star signed an off season deal with the Penguins, and Roman Siminek, a centre built from the same mold as Bobby Holik, who starred for Czech Rep. in the World Championships were both added to the final roster. Siminek even saw some time centering Jagr's line. Other noteworthy new faces to watch out for are Milan Kraft, a red hot prospect who led Prince Albert of the WHL in scoring for the past two years, who should challenge for the Calder trophy, and the new backup goalie - Garth Snow.