Feb 27, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Bokondji Imama (14) skates against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f40b50ab-14eb-4c2d-8ee9-1301e7977899.jpeg] Feb 27, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Bokondji Imama (14) skates against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) A feel-good hockey story has, unfortunately, hit a major bump in the road. Pittsburgh Penguins forward Boko Imama - recalled from the AHL on Jan. 25 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-recall-imama-option-pickering-to-ahl-ahead-of-tilt-in-seattle] - underwent successful biceps surgery on Mar. 29, it was announced by Penguins POHO and GM Kyle Dubas. "That's an unfortunate one," head coach Mike Sullivan said following Saturday's practice. 'He Loves Being A Penguin': Unlikely Hero Emerges As Penguins Defeat Blue Jackets, 6-3 [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/cce6c82d-cc4c-440b-afdb-a570a8fde0a2.jpeg] 'He Loves Being A Penguin': Unlikely Hero Emerges As Penguins Defeat Blue Jackets, 6-3 In what was a must-win game for both teams on the ice Friday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins sure came ready to play. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/he-loves-being-a-penguin-unlikely-hero-emerges-as-penguins-defeat-blue-jackets-6-3] This is a blow to the Penguins' locker room, as Imama is one of the key guys in it. Sullivan has talked about the positive energy that Imama has brought since his call-up, and his energy and attitude have won the respect of his teammates. A native of Montreal, Imama, 28, was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason. The enforcer was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth round (180th overall) of the 2015 NHL draft. He has made his rounds as a journeyman between the NHL and AHL levels, as he had played a total of 15 NHL games between the Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators prior to his arrival in the Penguins' organization. 'All The Guys Love Him': New Forward Energizes Penguins' Locker Room [https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/gcuG9Eu5/poster.jpg?width=720] 'All The Guys Love Him': New Forward Energizes Penguins' Locker Room Forward Boko Imama has played in just four games with the Penguins, and he's already making an impression on his teammates. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/all-the-guys-love-him-new-forward-energizes-penguins-locker-room] He skated in 16 games with the Penguins this season and registered his lone goal - and lone point - of the season in a Mar. 21 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/he-loves-being-a-penguin-unlikely-hero-emerges-as-penguins-defeat-blue-jackets-6-3]. Primarily an enforcer, Imama also put up 30 penalty minutes in those 16 games. Imama is expected to miss four to six months. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
