Name: Tom Kühnhackl                                2012-13 Club: Wilkes-Barre (AHL)

Height/Weight: 6’2, 172

DOB: 1/21/1992
National Team: Germany

Drafted: 4th round (110th overall), 2010 (Pittsburgh)

Out of: Landshut Cannibals (Germany2)

Acquired: Draft

Player Type:  Sniper

Comparable: Mike Ribeiro

Assets: Owns an NHL’s sniper shot, good in front of the net, throws big hits

Could improve: Needs to add muscle and mature physically, work on skating and his first step, adjust to rigors of the pro game

Projected:  Kühnhackl has top 6 forward NHL potential. His shot alone could get him by even if he doesn’t improve the rest of his game. Some seasoning in the AHL will do him wonders in terms of development. After an outstanding 39-goal OHL season, injuries and suspensions limited him to only 30 games last year, where his performance was lackluster. Look for him to bounce back as he turns pro with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Scouting Reports:

• Director of Player Development for Pittsburgh Penguins, Tom Fitzgerald:

“His upside is very good. He can really shoot the puck. He has good hockey sense. He can play either wing. Big, big kid who has a lot of growing to do. He’s a big kid who can shoot the puck. He can put the puck in the net. He’s got good hands, and he thinks the game well.”

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