Forward Carter Sanderson was one of the youngest players available in the draft this year, only making the cut-off for eligibility by three days.
Sanderson, who won't turn 18 until September, only has one year of junior hockey in the USHL on his resume, skating in only 48 games.
Still, Penguins scout Brandon Dennis was steadfast in his belief in Sanderson, and so the Penguins used their sixth-round pick on Saturday to add the physical, playmaking forward.
Penguins vice president of player personnel Wes Clark said that the 6-foot-1, 192-pound Sanderson is a "super competitive type of kid that may not show up on the stat sheet just yet," and that was the case in Clark's rookie USHL season. He had 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 48 games, and just one assist in 13 playoff games in Muskegon's run to a Clark Cup.
Muskegon coach Adam Morrison expressed a similar sentiment to the team's website in February, that Sanderson was playing well despite the lack of real scoring.
"He's always helping out where he's needed, and as we've seen over the second half of the season his playmaking ability has adjusted to our league and our level," Morrison said. "Every shift he gets he has an impact. Whether it's a big hit, a takeaway, or strong communication, he makes the most out of every shift."
Sanderson will be back in the USHL next season, after which he'll join a strong college program in the University of North Dakota.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
12:59 am - 06.29.2025DowntownSixth-rounder Sanderson 'has an impact'
Forward Carter Sanderson was one of the youngest players available in the draft this year, only making the cut-off for eligibility by three days.
Sanderson, who won't turn 18 until September, only has one year of junior hockey in the USHL on his resume, skating in only 48 games.
Still, Penguins scout Brandon Dennis was steadfast in his belief in Sanderson, and so the Penguins used their sixth-round pick on Saturday to add the physical, playmaking forward.
Penguins vice president of player personnel Wes Clark said that the 6-foot-1, 192-pound Sanderson is a "super competitive type of kid that may not show up on the stat sheet just yet," and that was the case in Clark's rookie USHL season. He had 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 48 games, and just one assist in 13 playoff games in Muskegon's run to a Clark Cup.
Muskegon coach Adam Morrison expressed a similar sentiment to the team's website in February, that Sanderson was playing well despite the lack of real scoring.
"He's always helping out where he's needed, and as we've seen over the second half of the season his playmaking ability has adjusted to our league and our level," Morrison said. "Every shift he gets he has an impact. Whether it's a big hit, a takeaway, or strong communication, he makes the most out of every shift."
Sanderson will be back in the USHL next season, after which he'll join a strong college program in the University of North Dakota.
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