Pouliot honored

Penguins prospect Derrick Pouliot has been named the Canadian Hockey League defenseman of the year.

Pouliot, who played for Portland in the Western Hockey League, was a first-round draft choice in 2012.

The Penguins used the No. 8 selection in the opening round, which had been acquired from Carolina in the Jordan Staal trade, to claim Pouliot.

Pouliot had 17 goals and 53 assists in 70 regular-season games with the Winterhawks, then added five goals and 27 asssts in 21 playoff games.

He underwent shoulder surgery earlier this week and is expected to need four to six months to recover.