Ruhwedel Fills Void on Penguins Defense

When I heard the announcement on the nightly news last summer that the Penguins had signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, I confess that I mistakenly thought the sports anchor pronounced his name “root weevil.” As in the detestable garden pest.

I soon learned the Pens’ newest d-man hailed from a strange spot for a hockey player, too. Southern California. Hardly a breeding ground for future NHL stars.

While Ruhwedel may boast of an unusual surname and origins, there’s been nothing offbeat about his play since he was summoned from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on December 17 in the wake of a crippling rash of injuries to the Penguins’ defense.

Thus far, Chad’s been equal parts efficient and effective. Kind of a poor man’s Justin Schultz. Harkening back to his college days, when he and current Pens teammate Scott Wilson paced UMass-Lowell to a berth in the 2013 Frozen Four.

A smooth skater and underrated passer, Ruhwedel actually started out as a forward before switching to defense in Pee Wee. Needless to say, the former First-Team All-American’s fit snuggly into the Pens’ puck-possession scheme. One that emphasizes mobility, smarts and puck movement from the defense, rather than brawn and physical play.

Through five games with the Pens (all victories), Ruhwedel’s more than held his own. He tallied his first NHL goal against New Jersey on December 23. Followed by his first black-and-gold assist the very next game, a pretty outlet pass that sprang Carl Hagelin for a spectacular breakaway goal.

In his own end, Chad’s displayed sound positioning and good gap control, along with a cool demeanor. He rarely seems to wind up on the wrong side of the puck. Attributes that served him well through a stellar collegiate career and three productive pro seasons, including 33 games with Buffalo from 2013 to 2016.

Ruhwedel’s success hasn’t come as a surprise to Pens coach Mike Sullivan, who lauded the 5’11” 191-pounder in a recent interview with Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“Chad’s a very good player,” Sullivan said of the nimble righthanded shot. “He’s a mobile guy. He’s a good puck mover. He’s another one of those players that we have as part of the depth of our organization that we know can help us win games.”

Passed over in the Entry Draft because of his size, Ruhwedel signed a two-year contract with Buffalo on April 13, 2013. A scant two days after UMass-Lowell was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, ironically at CONSOL Energy Center. Joining the Sabres that night, he skated in seven games for the navy blue and gold down the homestretch.

Ruhwedel spent most of the next three years in the AHL, honing his skills and adjusting to the rigors of the pro game, sandwiched around stints with the Sabres. After netting 10 goals in each of the past two seasons with Rochester, the 26-year-old defenseman was courted by Pens GM Jim Rutherford, who inked the San Diego native to a one-year deal on July 1.

A move that’s clearly reaped dividends.