PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Penguins center Kris Beech has accepted his qualifying offer, it was announced today by Penguins General Manager Craig Patrick.  In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not released.

Beech, 24, has appeared in 99 National Hockey League games in his career for Pittsburgh and the Washington Capitals, recording 27 points (10+17) and 59 penalty minutes.  He has played in 171 career games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the last three seasons, recording 150 points (53+97) and 319 penalty minutes. 

The 6-2, 208 pound center played in 68 games during the 2004-05 season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, recording 62 points (14+48) and 146 penalty minutes.  The 62 points were a new career high for Beech and they ranked second on the team in scoring during the regular season.  He set a new club record for assists with 48.  Beech was a plus or even in 49 of 68 games with the Baby Penguins during the regular season and recorded a point in 39 of 68 games, including 16 multiple-point games.  He was named the AHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 19, during which he recorded seven points (2+5) in three games.  He led the team in scoring in the playoffs, recording 10 points (4+6) in 11 games, tallying a point in 8 of the 11 games.

Beech, a native of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, was drafted by Washington in the first round (7th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.  He was acquired by the Penguins via a trade with the Capitals on July 11, 2001. 

KRIS BEECH’S CAREER NUMBERS