Penguins' Sprong springs into NHL record book with first career goal
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Daniel Sprong made history on Thursday as his first career goal was just the second by a Dutch-born player in the NHL.
"I'm very proud of where I'm from," said the 18-year-old Sprong, who hails from Amsterdam, Netherlands. "Just a great honor being in the record book for Holland."
With fellow forward Beau Bennett sidelined by an undisclosed injury, Sprong made the most of his opportunity for ice time during Pittsburgh's 2-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Sprong deftly swept Matt Cullen's centering feed past goaltender Craig Anderson 2:25 into the second period to join Ed Kea as the lone Dutch-born players to score a goal in the NHL.
You will always remember your first NHL goal, but it's nice to have a little memento too. pic.twitter.com/9CT7nMf98r
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 16, 2015
A second-round pick of the 2015 draft, Sprong paused to take in the moment before tossing his body into the nearest pane of glass to celebrate.
That feeling when you score your first @NHL goal. @penguins #NHLFirsts pic.twitter.com/m430Ga8QtY
— NHL (@NHL) October 16, 2015
Sprong, who made the team out of training camp, has nine games to impress before Pittsburgh decides whether to send him back to juniors or keep him in the Steel City.
(h/t Pittsburgh Penguins)
