Laatsch inks deal with Pittsburgh Penguins
March 10, 2025 | Men's Hockey
Senior defenseman was a seventh-round NHL pick in 2021
MADISON, Wis. -- Senior defenseman Daniel Laatsch has signed a two-year NHL entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins that begins with the 2025-26 season, the franchise announced on Monday.
The Altoona, Wisconsin, native, has excelled as a Badger after getting drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft at No. 215 overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"I'm super excited about signing with Pittsburgh," Laatsch said. "They are a great organization and it's really something you dream about as you're growing up. I remember playing in a 3-on-3 hockey tournament when I was a kid here in Wisconsin, and our team all had Penguin No. 87 jerseys for the tournament. So it really is a dream come true for me and I plan on working very hard to help Pittsburgh in the future.
"In regards to playing here at Wisconsin, it's been the best four years of my life and I can't believe how fast it all went by. I can't say enough about how great my teammates and coaches have been here. And the fan support is really unbelievable! I look forward to being a Badger forever and continuing to be one of their biggest fans."
"On Wisconsin!"
Laatsch finished his Badger career with six goals, 20 assists and 26 points in 126 games and proved a clutch player, with four of his six goals winning games.
An alternate captain this past season, he developed into an outstanding shutdown defenseman with his 6-5 frame and displayed an offensive flair that included the winning goals in both of UW's overtime triumphs this past season. He also scored winning goals over No. 1 Minnesota during his sophomore season and at No. 17 Michigan Tech during his junior campaign.
A two-time Academic All-Big Ten rear guard so far as a personal finance major, Laatsch was also the 2023 Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off Most Outstanding Defenseman.
Prior to Wisconsin, Laatsch skated the 2020-21 season with the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers after two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program on both the U.S. Under-18 and Under-17 teams. He skated in international events with Team USA at the 2018 World Under-17 Challenge and at Five Nations Tournaments in 2019 and 2020.
The Altoona, Wisconsin, native, has excelled as a Badger after getting drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft at No. 215 overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"I'm super excited about signing with Pittsburgh," Laatsch said. "They are a great organization and it's really something you dream about as you're growing up. I remember playing in a 3-on-3 hockey tournament when I was a kid here in Wisconsin, and our team all had Penguin No. 87 jerseys for the tournament. So it really is a dream come true for me and I plan on working very hard to help Pittsburgh in the future.
"In regards to playing here at Wisconsin, it's been the best four years of my life and I can't believe how fast it all went by. I can't say enough about how great my teammates and coaches have been here. And the fan support is really unbelievable! I look forward to being a Badger forever and continuing to be one of their biggest fans."
"On Wisconsin!"
Laatsch finished his Badger career with six goals, 20 assists and 26 points in 126 games and proved a clutch player, with four of his six goals winning games.
An alternate captain this past season, he developed into an outstanding shutdown defenseman with his 6-5 frame and displayed an offensive flair that included the winning goals in both of UW's overtime triumphs this past season. He also scored winning goals over No. 1 Minnesota during his sophomore season and at No. 17 Michigan Tech during his junior campaign.
A two-time Academic All-Big Ten rear guard so far as a personal finance major, Laatsch was also the 2023 Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off Most Outstanding Defenseman.
Prior to Wisconsin, Laatsch skated the 2020-21 season with the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers after two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program on both the U.S. Under-18 and Under-17 teams. He skated in international events with Team USA at the 2018 World Under-17 Challenge and at Five Nations Tournaments in 2019 and 2020.
Players Mentioned
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