Topic: Dustin Penner

Dustin Penner (born September 28, 1982) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Penner was never drafted; he was discovered and signed as a free agent by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim after playing college hockey for the University of Maine in the NCAA. Penner won the Stanley Cup in his rookie season with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He is known as a power forward, using his ability to maneuver his way around and behind the net with his big size.

Growing up in Winkler, Manitoba, Penner played on his high school team, the Garden Valley Zodiacs. Pursuing hockey beyond his high school, he was, however cut by many minor hockey teams, including his local junior club three times.

With little hope of ever playing hockey professionally, Penner agreed to play with Minot State University-Bottineau, but immediately broke his femur, ending his his first year with the club. The next year, in the 2001-02 season, he became a very important player for the club, scoring 20 goals with 13 assists in 23 games, also earning the Most Determined Player Award for his improvement and stellar play after recovering from his injury.