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By SCOTT REINARDY; Times Leader Sports Writer
Friday, September 17, 1999     Page: 1B

CANONSBURG- The Pittsburgh Penguins today will announce which players will
remain with the team at least through another week of training camp.
   
The remaining players will either be released or assigned to the team’s
American Hockey League affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
    Although still speculation, a list of probable players coming to
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has been compiled.
   
Leading that group will be forward Boris Protsenko, who was the top scorer
for Syracuse of the AHL last season. Syracuse had a dual affiliation with
Pittsburgh and Vancouver last season.
   
Protsenko might receive some playing time in Pittsburgh this season, but is
expected to start in the AHL.
   
One surprise might be forward Tyler Wright’s return to the AHL after
playing parts of the last seven seasons in the NHL with Pittsburgh and
Edmonton. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Wright signed a multiyear contract just
days before training camp began Sept. 4. Wright, who has played the last three
seasons for Pittsburgh, did not score for the Penguins in 61 games last
season.
   
Defenseman Sven Butenschon is expected to receive some playing time in
Pittsburgh this season, but probably will start out in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
   
Of the players listed below, nine were invited to Pittsburgh’s camp as free
agent tryouts. They include forwards Eric LeCompte, Joe Blaznek, Sandy Moger,
Gary Shuchuk and Mike Prokopec. Free agent defensemen include David Wilkie,
Craig Anderson, Darcy Robinson and Kurtis Drummond.
   
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach Glenn Patrick said he expects about 30 players
to participate in the first workout for the local Penguins at 9:30 a.m. on
Monday at the Ice Box Skating Rink in Jenkins Township.
   
It has not been decided who will be goalie Tom Barrasso’s backup this
season in Pittsburgh. Either Jean-Sebastien Aubin or Peter Skudra will remain
in Pittsburgh, and the other will be sent to the AHL.
   
One player who definitely is expected to play for the local Penguins is
forward Alexandre Mathieu. Mathieu is out for at least a month after being
struck on the bridge of the nose with a stick during Wednesday’s practice. He
suffered a depressed fracture and is scheduled for surgery this morning.
   
A list of players expected to arrive in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this weekend
appears on Page 4B.