| abstract | - Joe Vitale graduated from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was part of three state championships, two undefeated seasons and one national title. He also played for the St. Louis Jr. Blues of the Central States Hockey League for two seasons, including a national championship in 2003-04. In 2004-05, he played for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. On July 30, 2005, Vitale was drafted by the Penguins with the 195th selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, ON, CAN. He enrolled in Northeastern University and began his college career as a freshman in 2005-06. He was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week in February and received Northeastern's Ed Arrington Memorial Rookie of the Year Award. In 2006-07, he was named alternate captain of the squad as a sophomore and was named to Hockey East's All-Academic Team. As a junior in 2007-08, he was named All-New England and New England's Most Improved Player, was named to the All-Hockey East Second Team, and was Northeastern's Most Valuable Player. Vitale capped his career when Northeastern lost to UMass-Lowell in the second round of the 2009 Hockey East Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. He finished his career at Northeastern with 34 goals and 60 assists for 94 points and 268 penalty minutes in 143 games. On April 3, 2009, Vitale signed a one-year, entry level NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2009-10 season. He also signed an Amateur Try-Out contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the remainder of the 2008-09 season. He recorded his first professional goal and assist on April 4, 2009 against the Albany River Rats. He finished the season with 4 points in 5 regular season games. Vitale also played in all 12 of the Penguins playoff games. He is expected to continue his professional career for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2009-10.
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