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'It's A Thrill': Retired Penguins Players Honored Before Game

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- 27 retired hockey players, one connection.

All played for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the team's first ten years.

The Penguins first owner Jack McGregor, along with some of teams biggest names from that era, were all at practice Saturday.

Former forward Ab McDonald was the team's first captain in 1967. He says seeing all of his former teammates -- is a special moment.

"We enjoyed our time here and I'm enjoying it more right now, back to see everybody and see the Penguins and knowing they have a hockey club here," McDonald said.

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Other names like Billy Dea, Syl Apps, Noel Price, even Les Binkley, say they are happy to be back home.

"It's amazing how this city has taken -- the players are so much bigger and better today than we were. And it really is nice to be involved in the get together here today," Binkley said

Head Coach Mike Sullivan echoed what many others are saying: these men paved the way for what the team is today.

"That's one of the things I love about our sport is the respect players have for the players that have come before them," he said.

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