Ruopp Brings "Simple" Game to Development Camp

[X-Terminator]

Like most hockey fans, Harrison Ruopp watched the Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoffs, excited to watch the team compete for the Stanley Cup.

Unlike most hockey fans, Ruopp will soon get the chance to join in the chase for the next Cup.

“It's very exciting to think of that,” Ruopp says with a knowing laugh. “Just to have the opportunity with the Penguins, it's a dream come true and something I would definitely want to do in the future.”

Ruopp returns to Pittsburgh for the second time this week as a player to take part in the Penguins Prospect Development Camp. You will immediately notice him as one of the largest players at camp, cutting a 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame on the ice at CONSOL Energy Center.

Opponents across the Western Hockey League are certainly well acquainted with Ruopp’s punishing defensive play. The 20-year-old defenseman is not expected to tally up points, scoring just one goal in 65 games for the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders last season. Ruopp led the Raiders with 132 penalty minutes, a byproduct of a physical style that he will try to use in a smarter way.

“I want to utilize my strengths and I feel that I'm strong defensively,” Ruopp said. “Just making simple plays and playing a simple, hard-working game."

Ruopp’s hard work since last year’s camp earned him a cup of postseason hockey this spring, joining the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ taxi squad for the AHL playoffs. Less than one year after joining the organization from the Phoenix Coyotes as part of the Zbynek Michalek trade last June, Ruopp signed a three-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh.

Read More: http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.ht...id=DL|PIT|home

[salamander]

Assuming he starts off playing in WBS, I'm really looking forward to seeing him play out here. I've heard a lot about his physical style of play. After losing Joey Mormina, we need to make up for the loss of that size on the defense.

[X-Terminator]

Yeah, he's a tough kid. Should become a fan favorite in WBS pretty quickly. Hopefully he develops enough to make it to the NHL - the big club can use another tough blueliner to eventually replace Brooks Orpik.