Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Prospect Defenceman Dane Birks

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 05: The NHL 100 logo is seen on a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey in the locker room prior to Game Four of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators on June 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 05: The NHL 100 logo is seen on a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey in the locker room prior to Game Four of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators on June 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Michigan Tech defenceman Dane Birks to a two-year contract.

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Tuesday that the team has signed defensive prospect Dane Birks to a two-year entry-level contract.

The Penguins signed the defenceman during their beatdown by Detroit on Tuesday evening.

A New Prospect

Birks is the Pittsburgh Penguins sixth-round draft pick in 2013, selected 164th overall. His deal is set to begin with the 2018-19 season. For now, he’ll report to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins later this week on an amateur tryout contract. If he can impress the team he will stay on board.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins

Birks, has played the past three seasons collegiately at Michigan Tech, totalling seven goals, 23 assists and 30 points during his time there improving his offensive totals in all three of his seasons. This year, Birks had five goals, 13 assists, 18 points and a plus-10 in 44 games.

Building the Prospect Pool

The Penguins are making a clear effort to rebuild their prospect pool. Getting new talent in as their team ages is key to maintaining long-term success. I think Dane Birks is a great addition and I look forward to seeing what type of player he turns out to be on the blue-line. Whether he is a career AHLer or NHLer, the Penguins are doing a good job at signing prospects now.