Who are we? Deryk Engelland

Deryk Engelland has made an impact on the Penguins this season. He is a 6'2" 202 pound right handed defenseman. He was born on 4/3/82 in Chetwyn, British Columbia, making him a 28 year old rookie. Engelland was drafted 194th overall in the six round of the 2000 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey Devils and he made his professional debut in 2003 with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. He was signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007. Engelland became a fixture on the WBS blue line playing in 231 regular season games while recording 42 points(10G and 32A) and 405 penalty minutes while logging a +11 rating during those games. He added 6 points(1G and 5A) plus 27 PIMs during the playoffs in 2008, helping the WBS Penguins to the Calder Cup Finals. Engelland signed a one year extension that took effect for the 2010-2011 season, a two way contract paying him 500K at the NHL level. He was called up to the big club for a stretch last November, making his NHL debut on 11/10/09 against Boston, and recorded his first point, an assist on 11/16/09 v Anaheim. Engelland's steady play in WBS, along with his toughness(12 and 15 fights in his past two AHL seasons) made him one of four candidates fighting for the number 6 and 7 spots on the Pens blue line this season. Engelland, along with Ben Lovejoy, Andrew Hutchinson, and Simon Despres battled durng the preseason for the final two roster spots, and ultimately Lovejoy and Engelland won those spots. Despres will be a star in this league, and will take one of these spots next year, but Engelland seems to have made a name for himself on this team. Injuries to Michalek and Orpik made it necessary for Hutchinson, Lovejoy and Engelland to all play early in this season. Engelland distinguished himself by playing tough, steady defense and by adding an enforcer quality to the blue line that made Godard an option to sit on many nights. Engelland has now played in 15 of the Penguins 17 games, recording 1 goal and 1 assist, a -3 rating and six fighing majors. This leaves him tied for second i fighting majors in the NHL with Tim Jackman and Brandon Prust, and one fight behind league leader Zenon Kenopka. The Penguins as a team are tied for first in the league in fighting majors with Anaheim at 19 fights. Engelland made an early name by knocking noted tough guy Colton Orr flat on his ass in his first fight of the season, and by decisively beating and bloodying Jody Shelley of the Flyers. He has also fought Neil of Ottawa, Klein of Nashville, Bissonette of Phoenix and Parros of Anaheim proving he is game for all comers. According to voting on Hockeyfights.com, Engelland is 4-2, with victories over Orr, Shelley, Klein, and Neil, while losing to Bissonette and Parros. It is also worth noting that most of the damage to Engelland's plus/minus came in a poor showing v Phoenix where Engelland got beat and contributed to the two goals early in the game that got Fleury yanked. If you take away a few minutes in that game, this kid has been rock steady, physical, and has added an element of nastiness to a blue line that is mostly comprised of mobile, puck moving defensemen. I think Deryk Engelland is a valuable member of this Pens team IF Bylsma resists the temptation to make him more than he is. Let the guy play on the third pairing, log 12-15 minutes and do his thing. Engelland can make a long term home here if he can simply play solid defense, and make decent outlet passes out of the zone. If he can be responsible in his zone and make smart outlet passes, his toughness and ability to stand up for his team mates will make him a tough out as a 6th or 7th defenseman on ANY team.
On a final note, Engelland added his first NHL goal on 11/12/10 against Tampa Bay.