The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed goaltender Eric Hartzell, to a one-year entry-level contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

The deal runs through the 2012-13 season and has an average annual value of $925,000.

Hartzell, 23, led Quinnipiac University to the school’s first-ever Frozen Four appearance this past weekend at CONSOL Energy Center. Hartzell helped the Bobcats reach Saturday night’s championship game.

The 6-foot-4, 187-pound netminder was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top college hockey player this season after posting a 30-7-5 record, 1.57 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in 42 starts.

Hartzell, who is a native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, led the entire NCAA in minutes played this season (2522:02) and tied for third in shutouts with five while being named NCAA First-Team All-American.

Hartzell’s outstanding season earned him several accolades including 2013 ECAC Player of the Year, ECAC Hockey Ken Dryden Goaltender of the Year, a selection to the ECAC First-Team All-Star squad, a spot on the All-New England All-Star team and a selection to the CollegeHockeyNews.com's First-Team.

In four seasons at Quinnipiac, Hartzell posted a career record of 58-27-17 with a 1.96 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 106 career appearances. Hartzell’s 1.96 goals-against average established a school record.

Before joining Quinnipiac, Hartzell played three seasons for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL) between 2006-09. Hartzell went 39-32-4 in 79 career games for the Stampede.