Penguins assign two to minors

Mar 5, 2008 - 12:28 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned two players to the minors Tuesday, sending defenseman Alex Goligoski and left wing Connor James to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.

A second-round pick in 2004, Goligoski has appeared in three games with the Penguins this season, his first in the NHL. The 22-year-old native of Minnesota recorded two assists and two penalty minutes in those contests.

In 50 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Goligoski leads all defensemen on the club with seven goals and 22 points.

James, 25, scored one goal - the first of his NHL career - in eight contests with the Penguins this campaign. The Calgary native, who was a ninth-round selection of Los Angeles in the 2002 draft, also has registered eight tallies and 23 assists in 50 games with Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate.