Tibbetts, Crozier latest bound for NHL

The rest of the Penguins' gear was packed and on its way to the airport for the team's three-game road trip in Kentucky. The two outstanding bags, as well as their owners, were headed for a different destination.

Tibbetts and Crozier were called up by Pittsburgh and were expected to make their National Hockey League debuts Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins at Mellon Arena. They join teammate Toby Petersen, who made his NHL debut Tuesday against Ottawa.

While Tibbetts and Crozier were on their way up to the NHL, Josef Melichar is returning to the American Hockey League. Pittsburgh sent the 21-year-old Czech defenseman to the Penguins Wednesday. Melichar appeared in 12 games with Pittsburgh and recorded two assists and 15 penalty minutes. He was a healthy scratch, however, for the last eight games.

Pittsburgh has been hit with a rash of injuries. Forwards Kip Miller (strained groin) and Roman Simicek (flu) missed Tuesday's game, necessitating Petersen's callup. Then in the Ottawa game, Rene Corbet had a sore neck and a headache following a fight with the Senators' Shane Hnidy and Jan Hrdina suffered a pulled groin.

Naturally, both players were excited about the opportunity.

"I've waited for this since I was about four years old," said Tibbetts, who is third on the Penguins with 27 points (12-15). That total also ranks him third among AHL rookie scoring leaders.

An added bonus for Tibbetts is that his debut will come against the team he cheered for as a youth.

"I still am (a Bruins fan)," the Boston native said.

Crozier is fourth on the Penguins with 25 points (13-12) and leads the club with eight power-play goals.

"I'm just going to go up there and do the best I can and try to help the team win," Crozier said. "It's nothing really different than what I try to do every night here.

It is uncertain how long the players will remain with Pittsburgh. Tibbetts is likely to rejoin the Penguins in Louisville for tonight's 7:30 game against the Panthers, simply because his parole status prevents him from leaving the country. Pittsburgh's next game is Saturday night in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.

Crozier, however, was told by coach Glenn Patrick to pack his passport just in case.

"When you're going up to fill in for a guy who's injured, it's kind of like rolling dice. You don't know," Crozier said.

"It's a little step and I am very excited about it. But I'm just focusing on (Wednesday's) game; I'm not looking ahead. In the whole picture, I feel like I have a lot more to accomplish in my hockey career. I'm not going to get overly satisfied by playing one game."

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