Defenseman Derrick Pouliot , who was the first of Pittsburgh’s two 2012 first-round draft picks (8th overall), will join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins after signing amateur tryout contract on Thursday.

Pouliot becomes the third highly-drafted blueliner to head to WBS this week, joining Olli Maatta and Scott Harrington. Maatta made his professional debut for WBS in Game 3, posting an even rating in the Penguins 2-0 loss to the Syracuse Crunch.

WBS currently trails Syracuse 2-1 in the series, with Game 4 on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.

Pouliot, 19, helped the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) win its league playoff title this season and earn a berth in the Memorial Cup tournament. Pouliot finished that tournament with two goals, five assists and seven points in five games, helping Portland advance to the championship game where it lost to the Halifax Mooseheads.

The Weyburn, Saskatchewan native appeared in 44 games during the regular season with Portland, totaling nine goals, 36 assists and 45 points. He added 20 points (4G-16A) in 21 playoff games.