Pittsburgh Penguins Officially Sign Top Draft Pick to Multi-Year Contract

The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the 2025 NHL Draft with the No. 11 and 12 picks in the draft, and while they would end up trading the latter, with the first, they landed lightning quick forward Ben Kindel from the WHL's Calgary Hitmen.

It came as a surprise pick, but after putting up 35 goals and 99 points this past season in the Western Hockey League in just 65 games played, it's safe to say that they're betting on his immense upside and potential as a star forward at the next level.

Now, the team have moved quickly on signing their top prospect, inking Kindel to a three-year Entry Level Deal, as they look to get him moving through their system as quick as possible.

Freshly turned 18 in April, there's still plenty of development for Kindel before he can reach the professional level, but with good speed, the clutch gene and the ability to consistently produce at any level he's played at, hopes are high that he can rise through the system rather quickly.

Kindel isn't perfect as a prospect, as he is just 5-foot-10 and could use some work on his skating, but with improvements every year in the WHL, he's showing the type of elite traits that these Penguins need, and with the team needing to land one of these first-round picks, all eyes will be on him as he continues to develop on this ELC.