Brooks Orpik hopes to be a big hit with the Penguins. An instant hit, perhaps.
Orpik, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound defenseman and the team's first-round pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, signed his first professional contract yesterday. It's a three-year deal that is believed to pay him $1,075,000 each year, the maximum amount a first-round pick in 2000 can receive, plus incentives.
"Brooks feels he's ready for the challenge," said his agent, Lewis Gross. "He feels he wants to take the next step in his development."
Orpik had all but decided earlier in the summer that he would sign with the Penguins rather than return for his senior year at Boston College. In 40 games last season, he had no goals, 20 assists and 124 penalty minutes -- the most in the Hockey East conference -- and helped the Eagles win their first NCAA Division I title since 1949. He developed a reputation as a devastating open-ice hitter, perhaps the best at the collegiate level.
Still, few players make the leap from the NCAA directly to the NHL, and Orpik has said this summer that he will be more than amenable to being assigned to the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.
"I don't think any player coming out of college expects to play defense in the NHL right away," Gross said. "If it happens for Brooks, that's incredible. But he knows he's got to pay his dues and show what he can do."
Minor signings
The Penguins signed defenseman Peter Ratchuk and goaltender Robbie Tallas to one-year minor-league contracts.
Ratchuk, 23, was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent by the Florida Panthers after last season. He had no points in eight NHL games; five goals and 13 assists in 64 games for Louisville of the AHL. He is 6-1, 185 pounds, a smooth skater and has a strong left-handed shot. The Colorado Avalanche made him its first choice in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, 25th overall, but never signed him to a contract.
Tallas, 28, was the Chicago Blackhawks' backup behind Jocelyn Thibault last season and likely will fill the No. 3 role for the Penguins, which means being the starter in Wilkes-Barre. He struggled in 12 NHL appearances last season, going 2-7 with an .868 save percentage, then was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent. Tallas, 6-0, 175 pounds, relies heavily on his reflexes and a sharp catching glove.
Baby boom
Team officials in Wilkes-Barre announced they have stopped season-ticket sales for the coming AHL season, having sold all 8,143 seats for every game.
"It's been an unbelievable summer," said Jeff Barrett, team president. "The demand has far exceeded our expectations."
The Penguins own and operate the Wilkes-Barre franchise.
Camp opening
The Penguins announced their training camp will open Sept. 11 at Southpointe. Four days later, camp will move to Wilkes-Barre until Sept. 23.
Penguins sign top pick Orpik to 3-year deal 
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