Former Penguins forward Greg McKegg signs in Czechia
Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Greg McKegg has signed a one-year contract with BK Mladá Boleslav of the Extraliga ledního hokeje (ELH) in Czechia.
That team announced the transaction with a release on Tuesday.
A native of St. Thomas, Ont., McKegg played for the Penguins in 2017-18, appearing in 26 games while scoring four points (two goals, two assists) and averaging 9:41 of ice time per contest. Affectionately known as “Kegger” during his brief tenure with the organization, McKegg also skated in 28 American Hockey League (AHL) games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins that season, totaling 12 points (five goals, seven assists).
In addition to the Penguins, the left-handed McKegg has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.
At the junior level, McKegg spent parts of four seasons in northwest Pennsylvania with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League and remains one of the most prolific players in the history of that franchise. Entering the 2023-24 season, McKegg is 10th all-time in career scoring with the Otters, posting 229 points (106 goals, 123 assists) in 232 games.
McKegg, 32, played the entire 2023-24 season with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. In 63 games, he scored 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists).
Greiss returns
Former Penguins goaltender Thomas Greiss is making a temporary comeback from retirement as he will join Lowen Frankfurt of Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) on an interim basis until their two incumbent goaltenders return from injury.
Greiss, 38, retired in July of 2023 following parts of 20 professional seasons either in North America or his native Germany.
On Tuesday, Lowen Frankfurt announced its temporary arrangement with Greiss who will be filling in until goaltenders Jussi Olkinuora and Cody Brenner recover from their undisclosed maladies.
Greiss spent one season, the 2014-15 campaign, with the Penguins. Appearing in 20 games, Greiss had a 9-6-3 record along with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage while serving as a backup to starter Marc-Andre Fleury.
In addition to the Penguins, Greiss played for San Jose Sharks, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and St Louis Blues.
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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