Penguins

Penguins' Malone An Icon For Many Hometown Kids

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― If you played hockey and grew up in Pittsburgh, it seemed like an impossible dream to play in the NHL - let alone the Penguins. Then Ryan Malone came along, inspiring many and proving to everyone that if you work hard enough, you can get there from here.

At Ice Castle's Ice Arena, Malone's number hangs retired by Upper St. Clair - the high school hockey team he played for briefly.

The 6' 4" native has become a hockey icon for those who would like to someday fill his skates.

Malone says his path to glory has been anything but easy.

"I think my my first team I was 9 years old. I started in Mt. Lebanon and I was a squirt," he said. "Even on all those teams growing up, I was never the best player on a team. I was cut from a lot of teams. I think it just gives you extra motivation to prove people wrong."

Joe Gaul coached Malone when he played fro the elite level Pittsburgh Hornets. Ryan's skills eventually bloomed but it took effort that would crush most.

"He's living proof that, you know, a kid maybe that wasn't the outstanding player at age 14 or 15 can evolve to be an NHL star," Gaul said.

Malone is a good Pittsburgh hockey player who stands four victories away from hockey immortality.

"It was a long road in front of me I never thought I'd be in the situation now playing with the Penguins," Malone said. "I grew up in this locker room, same stalls playing knee hockey here with my brother and I definitely feel fortunate and lucky to be where I'm at."

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