The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled forward Brian Gibbons and defenseman Simon Despres from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL), it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.

Gibbons, 25, has appeared in 19 NHL contests with Pittsburgh this season, tallying four goals, five assists and nine points. He recorded his first NHL goal in his debut against the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 18 at CONSOL Energy Center.

A native of Braintree, Massachusetts, Gibbons currently ranks third on WBS with 30 points (11G-19A) in 28 AHL games this season. His 30 points equals the total he posted in each of his first two seasons with WBS.

During the NHL Olympic break, Gibbons collected three points (2G-1A) in five games with WBS. He also registered a pair of assists for Team AHL in a 7-2 defeat of Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League at the 2014 AHL All-Star Classic.

Despres, 22, joins the Penguins for his second stint in the NHL this season. Earlier this year, Despres had four assists and averaged 17:54 minutes in 18 games with Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot-4, 214-pound Despres has skated in 34 games at the AHL level with WBS this season, establishing career highs offensively in goals (6), assists (16) and points (22). His plus-18 leads the team and is tied for fourth-highest in the AHL.

A third-year pro, Despres has notched 15 points (3G-12A) and is plus-14 in 69 career NHL games. The 2009 first-round (30thoverall) draft pick has also appeared in six NHL playoff games with Pittsburgh.