One of the first things you notice about Bill Zonnon isn’t the skill. It’s his pace and his effort throughout a full 60 minutes.
After suffering a knee injury during the pre-season and then another undisclosed injury in November, Zonnon’s return to play in the QMJHL for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada didn’t occur until late December. He made an immediate impact and posted more than a point per game in the limited season remaining. Coaches put their big center to work in all situations as he dressed in 35 games.
**Sam Wismer is a reporter covering the AHL and ECHL in person, and a new Pittsburgh Hockey Now contributor.
Overall, Zonnon tallied 14 goals with 32 assists in the regular season, and dressed in 17 post-season games when he notched two goals and 13 assists.
Photo Credit: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Zonnon with their second of three first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft (22nd overall). The book on him is immediately obvious as he has a combination of size and hockey IQ, yet he is just 19 and is still early in the development stage of his career.
What makes Zonnon stand out are that details matter in his game. Speed, but more specifically keeping the pace of play, winning puck battles, will all play a part in his developing into an NHL player. Zonnon has the size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds), and in his first professional stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he is showing a compete level that makes him intriguing.
Zonnon signed his entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 22. Then following the conclusion of his QMJHL season, he signed an ATO with the WBS Penguins on May 7. The extended WBS playoff run afforded the organization a chance to expose Zonnon to professional hockey, the habits of the players, and the rigors pro hockey.
So far, it’s been quite a success.
Zonnon has shown physical engagement and a sense of maturity for a player of only 19, and scored goals in each of his first two games. In speaking with Pittsburgh Hockey Now on Sunday following practice, he noted there are more differences and adjustments that he has had to make. Certainly, coming from the Junior league to the professional level of the American Hockey League is certainly a transition.
“It’s obviously a lot faster, much older,” Zonnon said. “So it’s different hockey, especially being in the playoffs, it’s definitely an adjustment. I feel like after a couple of games and practices with these guys, I’ve been getting used to it.”
Some prospects dominate because of good habits, and some players face an adjustment period to break some of those bad junior hockey habits than can creep into every top prospect’s game. Fortunately for Zonnon, the Penguins are building a pipeline to Pittsburgh which is full of other young players who have gone through or are going through the same. Leaning on teammates and the leadership core has helped him adjust rapidly.
Ultimately, it is the environment in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton that has helped fast-track the process of the transition.
“It was challenging, but everyone here has helped me make it possible,” Zonnon explained.“Players and staff, everyone has helped me become better with my game and feel comfortable. I have to give a lot of credit to the organization for making me feel comfortable. I’m really happy to just go out there and play.”
In Zonnon’s debut game on May 12, he scored his first professional goal against the Hershey Bears in a series the Penguins won in four games. He also contributed to earning a win in Game 1 of Round Three against the Springfield Thunderbirds.
His Game 3 tally was a beauty and a small moment for Zonnon that will travel with him.
Zonnon still has key pieces of his development ahead that will could his game explode and become even more noticeable. Zonnon still needs to move his feet more, but he excels at hunting pucks, distributing to the open man, and board battles. Thus far, his game has shown well, and next fall will be a big test against the older, faster, and better competition of an NHL training camp and preseason.
Zonnon’s value is clearly visible and his stock will continue to rise as he pushes his boundaries, but he must continue to elevate his pace, making that his good habit.
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Categorized:Penguins Prospects Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins