DALLAS — Ryan Graves is hanging in Pittsburgh awaiting the arrival of his first child, which means that Jack St. Ivany will reap the benefits of an entirely different yet memorable occurrence.
Coach Mike Sullivan told reporters after the Penguins’ morning skate at American Airlines Center that St. Ivany will make his NHL debut Friday night against the Dallas Stars. St. Ivany, a right-shot defenseman, will partner with lefty John Ludvig while Pierre-Olivier Joseph moves up the lineup.
"It's pretty surreal,” St. Ivany said. “I'm just really excited. Can't wait for tonight."
St. Ivany, 24, has spent the past week splitting his time between the Penguins and their AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, presumably due to the uncertainty of when Graves’ child will be delivered. The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native will debut a bit closer to home than in Pittsburgh and said both his mother and father will be in attendance, as well as a couple of friends.
Originally a fourth-round pick by the Flyers in 2018, St. Ivany elected not to sign with Philadelphia and instead inked a deal with the Penguins in the summer of 2022. The responsible, stay-at-home defender played collegiately at both Yale and Boston College before spending his past two seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
While enduring growing pains in his first pro campaign, St. Ivany has been a steady defender in 53 games for the Baby Pens this year. He’s also chipped in four goals and 11 assists.
After hoping to not fall after either his rookie lap or first shift, St. Ivany wants to stay within himself on the ice.
"Be solid defensively with Luddy and kill penalties if I need to,” St. Ivany said. “Block shots [and] get the puck to our forwards.”
By putting St. Ivany in the lineup, none of the Penguins’ left-shot defensemen will have to play on their off side; such had been the case in recent games, with Joseph and Ludvig partnering.
As Sullivan has previously pointed out, it’s not just St. Ivany’s handedness that’s presented him with this chance. The trade of Chad Ruhwedel to the New York Rangers helped open up such an opportunity to St. Ivany, but the 6-foot-3, 198-pounder has earned it in the coach’s eyes.
“He's really done a great job with the role that he's played in Wilkes, and that is that conscientious, reliable, trustworthy role,” Sullivan said. “It's important to have those types of defensemen as part of your group. He brings an element of stability to the ice when he's on the ice.”
Sullivan also complimented St. Ivany on his penalty-killing, so perhaps he’ll get some time with a unit that has given up three power-play goals in as many games. St. Ivany prides himself on providing “physical touch” when needed as well.
He’s aware that upon taking the ice for his NHL debut, there’ll be some enhanced speed and strength to grapple with.
"Just got to make sure I'm finishing hits, keep guys in front of me,” St. Ivany said. “I feel like that part of my game will help me: just keeping guys pinned to the wall or whatnot, keep them outside of the center of the ice."
Jeff Carter out
Jeff Carter will also not be in the Penguins’ lineup against the Stars as he continues to battle an upper-body injury. He did not practice with the team on Thursday in Cranberry nor play during Tuesday night’s loss to the New Jersey Devils.
Carter did travel with the team. In 61 games this season, the 39-year-old forward has totaled nine goals and three assists in a fourth-line role.
Andrew Destin: adestin@post-gazette.com and @AndrewDestin1 on X
First Published: March 22, 2024, 6:02 p.m.
Updated: March 22, 2024, 6:08 p.m.
