The 1996–97

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...

season was the team's 30th in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

. This was the final season for

Mario Lemieux Mario Lemieux (; ; born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played parts of 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 1984 and 2006, and he assumed ownership of the f ...

before his first retirement.

Off-season

Regular season

The 1996–97 season featured

in his final season before his first retirement. Lemieux won his sixth (and final)

Art Ross Trophy The Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League (NHL) player who leads the league in points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the league by former player, General Manager, and head coach Art Ross. The trophy has ...

as the NHL's leading scorer, with 122 points. The Penguins had an up-and-down season en route to a sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. A 2–9–0 start was followed by a hot middle-of-the-season stretch, highlighted by the play of rookie phenom goaltender Patrick Lalime. A shoulder injury to

Tom Barrasso Thomas Patrick Barrasso (born March 31, 1965) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 18 seasons. He began his time in the NHL with the Buffalo ...

ended his season after five unmemorable games and led to the promotion of Lalime from the

Cleveland Lumberjacks The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League (IHL) team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Facts :Owner: Larry Gordon :Logo design: "Buzz"- A beaver wearing overalls holding a homemade hockey stick framed by a circular saw blade :Divis ...

of the International Hockey League (IHL). Lalime debuted in relief of

Ken Wregget Kenneth Lee Wregget (born March 25, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. His professional hockey career spans nearly 20 years, and he suited up in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia F ...

in a loss to the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

on November 16. His first win came in relief of Wregget on December 6, and the next day, on December 7, he was given the start against the

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: * ''Mighty'' (The Planet Smashers album) * ''Mighty'' (Kristene DiMarco album) * ''The Mighty'' (1929 film), a 1929 American action film *'' The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy-drama film * ''The Mighty'' (comics), a DC Comics title * ...

, beating the Mighty Ducks and setting him well on his way to setting the NHL record for consecutive games unbeaten to begin a career for an NHL goaltender, going 14–0–2 (16 games). However, the Penguins cooled down after that, as the team did not win a road game after February 5, which led to a coaching change on March 4.

Eddie Johnston Edward Joseph Johnston (born November 24, 1935) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and former coach and general manager in the National Hockey League. His professional career spanned fifty-three years (twenty-two as a player ...

was relieved of his duties as head coach after losing eight of his last nine games and was replaced on an interim basis by General Manager

Craig Patrick Craig Patrick (born May 20, 1946) is an American former hockey player, coach and general manager, the son of Lynn Patrick and the grandson of Lester Patrick. During the 1980 Winter Olympics, Patrick was the Assistant General Manager and Assist ...

. Patrick went 7–10–3 down the stretch, enough to get the Penguins into the playoffs as the sixth seed at 38–36–8. The Penguins finished the season first in scoring, with 285 goals for.
In the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the Penguins took-on the third-seeded

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Well ...

. The Flyers dismantled the Penguins in five games en route to an Eastern Conference championship of their own. The Pens' lone win in the series was in Game 4 at the Civic Arena in

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsylva ...

, in which Lemieux scored on a breakaway against Flyers goaltender

Garth Snow Garth E. Snow (born July 28, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender and former general manager, president and alternate governor of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted by the Quebec Nordiqu ...

in the closing minutes for his final goal before his first retirement.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - style="background:#fcf;" , 1 , , 5 , ,

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play th ...

, , 4–3 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 0–1–0 , , 0 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 2 , , 8 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–7 , ,

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to ...

, , 0–2–0 , , 0 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 3 , , 11 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–3 , ,

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...

, , 0–3–0 , , 0 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 4 , , 12 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–3–0 , , 2 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 5 , , 16 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–8 , ,

, , 1–4–0 , , 2 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 6 , , 17 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–4 , ,

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...

, , 1–5–0 , , 2 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 7 , , 19 , ,

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, a ...

, , 1–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–5–0 , , 4 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 8 , , 22 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–5 , ,

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...

, , 2–6–0 , , 4 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 9 , , 24 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–7 , ,

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...

, , 2–7–0 , , 4 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 10 , , 26 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–2 , ,

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...

, , 2–8–0 , , 4 , - , - style="background:#fcf;" , 11 , , 1 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–4 , ,

, , 2–9–0 , , 4 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 12 , , 2 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–9–0 , , 6 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 13 , , 6 , ,

, , 2–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–9–0 , , 8 , - style="background:#ffc;" , 14 , , 8 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–5 OT , ,

, , 4–9–1 , , 9 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 15 , , 9 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–4 , , Florida Panthers , , 4–10–1 , , 9 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 16 , , 12 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–10–1 , , 11 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 17 , , 14 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–2 OT , ,

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making t ...

, , 5–11–1 , , 11 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 18 , , 16 , ,

, , 8–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–12–1 , , 11 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 19 , , 19 , ,

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the ...

, , 2–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–12–1 , , 13 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 20 , , 21 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–7 , ,

, , 6–13–1 , , 13 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 21 , , 22 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 7–1 , ,

, , 7–13–1 , , 15 , - style="background:#ffc;" , 22 , , 27 , ,

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...

, , 2–2 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 7–13–2 , , 16 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 23 , , 30 , ,

, , 2–6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 8–13–2 , , 18 , - , - style="background:#ffc;" , 24 , , 3 , ,

, , 4–4 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 8–13–3 , , 19 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 25 , , 4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–2 , ,

, , 9–13–3 , , 21 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 26 , , 6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–3 , ,

, , 10–13–3 , , 23 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 27 , , 7 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 11–13–3 , , 25 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 28 , , 10 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–3 , ,

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...

, , 12–13–3 , , 27 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 29 , , 11 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 7–3 , ,

, , 13–13–3 , , 29 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 30 , , 13 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–0 , ,

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are owned by San Jose Sports & Entertainm ...

, , 14–13–3 , , 31 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 31 , , 15 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–2 , ,

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division i ...

, , 14–14–3 , , 31 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 32 , , 17 , ,

, , 6–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 14–15–3 , , 31 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 33 , , 19 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–0 , ,

, , 15–15–3 , , 33 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 34 , , 21 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 16–15–3 , , 35 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 35 , , 23 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–5 , ,

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

, , 17–15–3 , , 37 , - style="background:#ffc;" , 36 , , 26 , ,

, , 3–3 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 17–15–4 , , 38 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 37 , , 28 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 18–15–4 , , 40 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 38 , , 30 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 19–15–4 , , 42 , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 39 , , 2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–1 , , New Jersey Devils , , 20–15–4 , , 44 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 40 , , 4 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 21–15–4 , , 46 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 41 , , 7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–3 , , New York Islanders , , 22–15–4 , , 48 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 42 , , 10 , , New York Islanders , , 2–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 23–15–4 , , 50 , - style="background:#ffc;" , 43 , , 11 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–3 OT , ,

, , 23–15–5 , , 51 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 44 , , 14 , ,

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and were founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minne ...

, , 1–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 24–15–5 , , 53 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 45 , , 15 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–0 , ,

, , 25–15–5 , , 55 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 46 , , 21 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 26–15–5 , , 57 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 47 , , 23 , ,

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The Avalanche play thei ...

, , 4–3 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 26–16–5 , , 57 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 48 , , 25 , ,

, , 7–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 26–17–5 , , 57 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 49 , , 26 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–2 , ,

, , 27–17–5 , , 59 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 50 , , 29 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–3 , ,

, , 27–18–5 , , 59 , - , - style="background:#cfc;" , 51 , , 1 , , Phoenix Coyotes , , 1–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 28–18–5 , , 61 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 52 , , 4 , ,

, , 4–6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 29–18–5 , , 63 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 53 , , 5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–3 , ,

, , 30–18–5 , , 65 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 54 , , 8 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 6–5 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 30–19–5 , , 65 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 55 , , 12 , , New York Islanders , , 5–1 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 30–20–5 , , 65 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 56 , , 15 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–5 , ,

, , 30–21–5 , , 65 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 57 , , 16 , ,

, , 6–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 30–22–5 , , 65 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 58 , , 18 , , Florida Panthers , , 2–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 31–22–5 , , 67 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 59 , , 22 , ,

, , 5–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 31–23–5 , , 67 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 60 , , 23 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–4 , , New York Islanders , , 31–24–5 , , 67 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 61 , , 27 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–4 , , Detroit Red Wings , , 31–25–5 , , 67 , - , - style="background:#fcf;" , 62 , , 1 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–6 , , New Jersey Devils , , 31–26–5 , , 67 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 63 , , 4 , , New Jersey Devils , , 3–1 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 31–27–5 , , 67 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 64 , , 5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–4 , ,

, , 31–28–5 , , 67 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 65 , , 8 , ,

, , 2–3 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 32–28–5 , , 69 , - style="background:#ffc;" , 66 , , 10 , ,

, , 2–2 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 32–28–6 , , 70 , - style="background:#ffc;" , 67 , , 12 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–5 OT , , Phoenix Coyotes , , 32–28–7 , , 71 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 68 , , 14 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–6 , ,

, , 32–29–7 , , 71 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 69 , , 16 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–6 , ,

, , 32–30–7 , , 71 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 70 , , 18 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 33–30–7 , , 73 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 71 , , 20 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 34–30–7 , , 75 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 72 , , 22 , , New Jersey Devils , , 3–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 34–31–7 , , 75 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 73 , , 24 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 0–3 , ,

, , 34–32–7 , , 75 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 74 , , 26 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–8 , ,

, , 34–33–7 , , 75 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 75 , , 29 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 35–33–7 , , 77 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 76 , , 31 , , Florida Panthers , , 3–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 36–33–7 , , 79 , - , - style="background:#ffc;" , 77 , , 3 , ,

, , 5–5 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 36–33–8 , , 80 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 78 , , 5 , ,

, , 2–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 37–33–8 , , 82 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 79 , , 8 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 38–33–8 , , 84 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 80 , , 10 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–4 , ,

, , 38–34–8 , , 84 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 81 , , 11 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–4 , , Florida Panthers , , 38–35–8 , , 84 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 82 , , 13 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–7 , ,

, , 38–36–8 , , 84 , - , - style="text-align:center;" , ''Legend: = Win = Loss = Tie''

Playoffs

, - style="background:#fcf;" , 1 , , 17 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–5 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 0–1 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 2 , , 19 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–3 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 0–2 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 3 , , 21 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 5–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 0–3 , - style="background:#cfc;" , 4 , , 23 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 1–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–3 , - style="background:#fcf;" , 5 , , 26 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–6 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 1–4 , - , - style="text-align:center;" , ''Legend: = Win = Loss''

Player statistics

;Skaters ;Goaltenders ^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
^‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.

Awards and records

Awards

Transactions

The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season:

Trades

Free agents acquired

Free agents lost

Lost via waivers

Other

Draft picks

Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the

1996 NHL Entry Draft The 1996 NHL Entry Draft was the 34th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 22, 1996. The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Zdeno Chára, who retired after the 2021–22 season. ...

. ;Draft notes * The New Jersey Devils' second-round pick (from

) went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a June 22, 1996, trade that sent two second-round picks to the Devils in exchange for this pick. * The Pittsburgh Penguins' second-round pick (from

) went to the New Jersey Devils as the result of a June 22, 1996, trade that sent a second-round pick to the Penguins in exchange for a second-round pick and this pick. * The Pittsburgh Penguins' second-round pick went to the New Jersey Devils as the result of a June 22, 1996, trade that sent a second-round pick to the Penguins in exchange for a second-round pick and this pick. * The

' third-round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of an August 1, 1995, trade that sent

Kevin Stevens Kevin Stevens (born April 15, 1965) is an American former ice hockey player and current scout in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played left wing on a line with Mario Lemieux during the Pittsburgh Penguins' Stanley Cup championships in ...

and

Shawn McEachern Shawn Kenneth McEachern (born February 28, 1969) is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. He is the current head boys' varsity ice hockey coach at The Rivers School, an independent 6–12 school in Weston, Massa ...

to the Bruins in exchange for Glen Murray,

Bryan Smolinski Bryan Anthony Smolinski (born December 27, 1971) is an American former professional ice hockey center. The Boston Bruins drafted him 21st overall in 1990. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islander ...

and this pick. * The Pittsburgh Penguins' fifth-round pick went to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a March 20, 1996, trade that sent Kevin Miller to the Penguins in exchange for this pick. * Compensatory pick received from NHL as compensation for free agent

Joe Mullen Joseph Patrick Mullen (born February 26, 1957) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins betwee ...

. * The Pittsburgh Penguins' sixth-round pick went to the

as the result of a March 20, 1996, trade that sent J. J. Daigneault to the Penguins in exchange for this pick. * The Pittsburgh Penguins' seventh-round pick (from NHL as compensation for free agent

Kjell Samuelsson Kjell William Alf Samuelsson (born 18 October 1958) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Ba ...

) went to the

as the result of a June 22, 1996, trade that sent Tyler Wright to the Penguins in exchange for this pick. * The Pittsburgh Penguins' eighth-round pick went to the

as the result of a March 1, 1996, trade that sent

Dave McLlwain David Allan McLlwain (born June 9, 1967) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. McLlwain is best known for playing for a record four National Hockey League (NHL) teams (the Winnipeg Jets, the New York Islanders, the Buffalo Sabres, ...

to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.

Farm teams

The

Johnstown Chiefs The Johnstown Chiefs were a minor league ice hockey team located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, that played in the ECHL. The team was founded in 1987 in the All-American Hockey League, and moved to the East Coast Hockey League (now "ECHL") when th ...

of the

East Coast Hockey League The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams scattered across the United States and Canada. It is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The E ...

finished last in the North Division with a 24–39–7 record. The IHL's

finished second in the Central Division with a record of 40–32–10. They defeated the

Indianapolis Ice The Indianapolis Ice were a minor league professional ice hockey team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, that played in the International Hockey League from 1988 to 1999 and in the Central Hockey League from 1999 to 2004. Their original home arena ...

in the first round 3–1, then defeated the

Orlando Solar Bears The Orlando Solar Bears are a professional ice hockey team that plays their home games at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. They play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning of t ...

in the second round 4–1 before losing to the eventual

Turner Cup The Turner Cup was the championship trophy of the International Hockey League from 1945 to 2001 and the renamed United Hockey League from 2007 to 2010. The Cup was named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professi ...

champion

Detroit Vipers The Detroit Vipers were an International Hockey League team. The team was founded in 1994, and played at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Their mascot was a polar bear named Vipe-bear. History Beginning The Vipers were originally formed as the S ...

, 4–1.

References

Penguins on Hockey Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Pittsburgh Penguins season Pittsburgh Penguins seasons P P Pitts Pitts