Penguins recall, demote LW James

Dec 14, 2008 - 12:38 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Left wing Connor James made his season debut for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday after being recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League earlier in the day.

The 26-year-old James saw 8 minutes, 15 seconds of ice time without recording a point or registering a shot on goal. Following the game, he was assigned back to the Penguins' AHL affiliate.

In 26 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, the native of Calgary, Alberta has recorded 10 goals and seven assists. A ninth-round pick of Los Angeles in 2002, the 5-10, 180-pound James has notched one goal and two penalty minutes in 16 career NHL contests with the Kings and Penguins.

Pittsburgh also assigned left wing Jeff Taffe to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after registering an assist in Saturday's loss. It was the only point recorded in four games with the Penguins this season by the 27-year-old native of Hastings, Minnesota, who also posted two penalty minutes.

Taffe has amassed 14 goals and 15 assists in 24 contests with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this campaign.

Drafted 30th overall by St. Louis in 2000, the 6-3, 215-pound Taffe has registered 20 goals and 21 assists in 149 career NHL games with the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers and Penguins.