DeSmith and Guentzel become the sixth and seventh Penguins ever named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team, joining Matt Murray (2014-15), Alex Goligoski (2007-08), John Curry (2007-08), Michel Ouellet (2003-04) and Toby Petersen (2000-01).
DeSmith rose to prominence last spring as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's unlikely hero in the Calder Cup Playoffs, but is only in his first full AHL season this year. The Rochester, N.H. native has a 19-4-2 record, a .920 save percentage, and the league's fourth-best goals against average at 2.14. DeSmith posted the first regular season shutout of his career last weekend, making 26 saves on Apr. 1 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Guentzel, who is currently on NHL recall with the Pittsburgh Penguins, recorded 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points in 33 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. Despite not playing an AHL game since Jan. 14, he led all AHL rookies in goals until Mar. 8. The first-year pro from Woodbury, Minn. also posted six different games of three points or more.
The 2016-17 AHL All-Rookie team is as follows:
Each player will receive a custom-designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the All-Rookie Team.
