Vacation post - 08-25-10

-Happy 49th birthday to former Penguins forward Dave Tippett (right). A free agent signing in the 1992 offseason, Tippett spent one season with the Penguins In 1992-93, Tippett appeared in 74 games and recorded 25 points. He appeared in all 12 of the team's postseason games and contributed five points. In the 1993 offseason, he joined the rival Flyers as a free agent. He is currently the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes and won the Jack Adams Award last season as the league's top coach.

-Happy 41st birthday to former Penguins forward Jamie Leach. A third-round pick in 1987, Leach spent parts of four seasons with the Penguins. As a rookie in 1989-90, Leach appeared in 10 games and recorded three assists. In 1990-91, Leach played in seven games,  netted two goals and earned a Stanley Cup ring despite not appearing in a playoff game. Leach would reach career-highs in games (38) and points (nine) and had his named carved into the Stanley Cup for the team's second consecutive Stanley Cup title. After five games and no points in 1992-93, Leach was claimed off waivers by the Hartford Whalers early in the season. In 60 games with the Penguins, Leach recorded 14 points.

-Happy 28th birthday to former Penguins forward Connor James. A free agent signing in the 2006 offseason, James spent parts of two seasons with the Penguins. In 2007-08, James, who had a bad habit of pretty much getting smashed by opposing defenders (see below), appeared in 13 games and netted one goal. James was limited to one game and no point in 2008-09. In the 2009 offseason, he joined Augsburg in Germany. In 14 games with the Penguins, he scored one goal. James joined the DEG Metro Stars this offseason.

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-Today would've been the 116th birthday of Charlie Langlois, a forward/defenseman with the NHL's Pittsburgh Pirates.

(Photo: Penguins Hockey Cards)