Photo by: Andrew Fielding

Sophomore forward Beau Bennett signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, Penguins Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero announced today.  

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Bennett, who will join the Penguins for the 2012-2013 season, forgoes his final two years of eligibility at DU. He is now the third Pioneer underclassman to join the professional leagues since the conclusion of the 2011-2012 season.

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On March 27, sophomore forward Jason Zucker and junior forward and co-captain Drew Shore announced they would be signing with the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers, respectively.

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“We are happy for Beau that he is realizing his life-long dream to become a professional hockey player,” said head coach George Gwozdecky. “Beau is big-time talent, who would have put up big numbers for us last season if it wasn’t for his injury. We wish Beau continued success and hope to see him in the NHL soon.”

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Bennett, who sustained a wrist injury in early October, played in only 10 of Denver’s 43 games this season, missing the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on Dec. 9. He played six of those 10 games with the tendon in his wrist completely severed.

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Bennett finished his two-year career with the Pioneers with 38 points on 13 goals and 25 assists in 47 games. During his short stint in the 2011-2012 season, he recorded 13 points on four goals and nine assists.

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Bennett, at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, was drafted 20th overall by Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2010 draft. He is the 17th underclassman to turn pro during Gwozdecky’s 18-year career with the Pioneers.

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Originally from Gardena, Calif., Bennett played for the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2009-2010 before coming to DU. He tied for the BCHL scoring lead with 120 points on 41 goals and 79 assists in 56 games.