It’s a bit of an unconventional pipeline, given that football is the sport most closely associated with the state of Nebraska.

But the Penguins have established something of a connection with the University of Nebraska-Omaha hockey team, one that could help them address what has been a defenseman-heavy imbalance among their prospects.

The latest example is winger Josh Archibald, a sixth-round pick by the Penguins in the 2011 NHL draft. As a junior last season at UNO, he set a school record with 29 goals, led the National Collegiate Hockey Conference with 43 points in 37 games, was named the conference player of the year and the school’s top male athlete, was a first-team All-American and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2014/07/18/Hobey-Baker-finalist-adjusting-to-pros/stories/201407180119#ixzz37q3QVKXN