Welcome to our series on who wore each number best for the Penguins.
The idea is being openly borrowed from our new hockey writer, Cody Tucker, and his project at the Lansing State Journal covering all the uniform numbers worn through Michigan State football history, one that’s been well received by their readers and prompted heavy discussion and debate.
Under my organization, and following the voting of a big chunk of our staff, we’ll publish one new one each day until completion, which should be right around the start of training camp.
___________________
Name: Tyler Kennedy
Number: 48
Position: Right Wing
Born: July 15, 1986, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Seasons with Penguins: 2007-13
Statistics with Penguins: 372 games, 76 goals, 92 assists in regular season; 76 games, 12 goals, 15 assists in playoffs
WHY KENNEDY?
Tyler Kennedy was a Penguin for six years, and played a big role in some memorable moments for the organization.
Kennedy made his professional debut in 2006-07 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and began seeing some time in Pittsburgh the following year. The 2008-09 season was Kennedy's first full year in the NHL, and he made the most of it.
Kennedy spent that year on the third line with Jordan Staal and Matt Cooke, and the line would go on to play an important role in the Penguins' Stanley Cup run that spring. Kennedy himself scored five goals that postseason, three of which were game-winning goals. The biggest, of course, was his game-winner in Game 6 to force a Game 7 for the Penguins:
Three days later in Detroit, Kennedy and the Penguins would go on to raise the franchise's third Stanley Cup.
Kennedy had an increased role on the Penguins in the following years, saw time on the penalty kill and power play units, and set career highs in 2010-11 with 21 goals and 24 assists in 80 games. Kennedy was also the first Penguin to score a goal in their new home when the Penguins hosted the Flyers at the Consol Energy Center in the building's inaugural game.
Plus, he gave us this bizarre video.
Kennedy was set to become a restricted free agent in 2013, but his time with the Penguins came to a close when he was traded to San Jose for a second-round pick (which was later swapped, and used to draft Tristan Jarry) at the 2013 NHL Draft.
WHAT'S HE DOING NOW?
After stints with the Sharks, Islanders, and Devils, Kennedy retired from professional hockey in 2016.
Kennedy has returned to Pittsburgh with his wife and daughter, and now works as a trainer and a coach. He's currently hosting a series of summer camps, with other former Penguins helping out.
Huge thank you to @philbourque29 for coming out to coach the kids for my last exhibition game of the summer! #trainwithtk pic.twitter.com/syQgx4BpSK
— Tyler Kennedy (@Kennedy4848) July 30, 2018
Seven time Stanley Cup Winner, Bryan Trottier leading the TK pack! #trainwithTK pic.twitter.com/EJjP6koMmC
— Tyler Kennedy (@Kennedy4848) July 31, 2018
Kennedy gave television a shot as well, appearing on a few episodes of "The Final Word" on WPXI in 2017:
Forecast includes a Cup. L-R @Kennedy4848 @MarkMaddenX @WPXIBenson @Steigerworld & @LLysowski @albyox @WPXIFinalWord pic.twitter.com/uFBqsNsE50
— Alby Oxenreiter (@albyox) June 5, 2017
IT WAS SPOKEN
“I was here for six years and it was a great six years. I think I really grew as a person and as a player. Pittsburgh was like a second home to me, so it means a lot to be back here and I am excited to be back here.” -- Kennedy in 2013
HONORABLE MENTIONS AT NO. 48
None
ANY DEBATE?
No. Konstantin Koltsov wore the number for two games before switching to No. 71. Kennedy is the only player to ever wear No. 48 for at least a full season, and he wore it well.
Tomorrow: I have the Mario-esque No. 49
Yesterday: Simon Despres