Horcoff had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 18 games for Michigan as a freshman last season.

“The progression in his game from the start of the year to the end of the year from going to the program at Michigan was immense,” Penguins vice president of player personnel Wes Clark said. “Super athletic at 6-foot-5. Still very early in his development curve. The mentorship and guidance that he’s obviously gotten from his old man is a big benefit. I think that will go leaps and bounds for Billy there as he continues to develop. I love the upside there.”

Horcoff will return to Michigan; he will not be at Pittsburgh training camp in September, Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza said.

Spezza knows Horcoff well from playing with Shawn with Dallas in 2014-15.

“He was a rink rat. He’s always been a rink rat,” Spezza said. “I think that’s one of the benefits of being the son of an NHL player, you get to be around. So Will’s very comfortable around the arena. I think his love for the game is something that stands out. He’s always working on his game. I’ve kept in touch with Shawn, so I know quite a bit about Will’s path and how things have gone. It’s great to see him here.”

Shawn Horcoff, now assistant general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, also played with Trevor Daley, special assistant to Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas, with the Stars from 2013-15.

“It’s just such a small world. Time just flies,” Will said. “Like, it’s just crazy. Growing up, all these people working, not even on this team, but on all the teams, going to the combine and having interviews, a ton of them were my dad’s old teammates or guys I knew when I was younger.”

Horcoff called Spezza, ‘Spezz,’ before catching himself.

“Mr. Spezza played with my dad in Dallas. So that was super cool,” Will said. “Mr. Daley played with my dad as well. So, just seeing him, it’s just crazy growing up, remembering when they were players and now, I’m on their team and they’re working in management. It’s pretty surreal.”

It won’t come with a leg up, though. Even if it could, Horcoff wouldn’t want it. It’s one more thing he got from his dad.

“I try to model my work ethic after him,” he said. “Growing up, I would always go to the rink when he was on the Stars or the Oilers. Sometimes, he’d be the only one there, only one going on the ice. Just me and him. Just showed me how bad he wanted it. He had an incredible career, so it showed me how hard I need to work.”