📍 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
🏒 Home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Taking the ice just before the turn of the millennium, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have been one of the more exciting AHL teams to watch over the last few decades. The beloved Baby Pens have made their home at the classic Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, while the team’s success and close ties to their big-league counterparts have helped them become a fixture in northeast Pennsylvania sports.

The franchise originated in the 1980s in Atlantic Canada, playing a few seasons in Cornwall, Ontario before being bought out by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the ’90s. After a few years on hiatus due to construction delays at Mohegan Arena, the club finally began play in Wilkes-Barre for the 1999 campaign. The Baby Penguins, as they were quickly and affectionately nicknamed, got off to a hot start and rode an insane sellout streak in the early 2000s that kept them atop the AHL attendance leaderboard. On a few occasions, their home ice has been privileged to host Black & Gold games, sold-out events contested between WBS prospects and members of the Pittsburgh Penguins. In addition to these marquee matchups, the popularity of the Baby Pens has also earned them a mention in The Office, the acclaimed sitcom based in nearby Scranton.

Throughout their time in the region, Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza has been a more than suitable home for the Pens. An 8,300-seat venue, it features a luxurious suite level – that’s in addition to open suite boxes in the north end zone – and lots of great food options. From the Ace Beverage Craft House, an exclusive club spot with a wide assortment of alcoholic beverages on tap, to beloved Chickie’s and Pete’s, there’s lots of great spots to choose from on the main concourse. Down on the event level, there’s even more exclusive group hangout areas that offer reserved buffets and close-up views of the action.

On the ice, the Baby Pens have accomplished much to be proud of. Only missing the playoffs less than a half dozen times over their quarter century of existence, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has long thrilled their fans with spectacular playoff hockey. The team has won the regular season AHL title twice and has participated in the Calder Cup Finals on three occasions, though the Pens are still searching for their first championship trophy.

Along the way, the team has developed a number of current and former Pittsburgh Penguins stars, including legendary goaltenders like Marc-André Fleury, Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry, as well as stellar skaters Kris Letang and Jake Guentzel. This pipeline of talent has kept the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton squad competitive year after year, much to the delight of their diehard fanbase.