Zac Lynch, the former Robert Morris University standout and Pittsburgh native, is coming home.
The Wheeling Nailers acquired Lynch from the Manchester Monarchs via trade on Monday in exchange for future considerations.
The 26-year-old will be entering his third pro season after scoring 46 points (22 goals and 24 assists) in 58 games for the Monarchs in the ECHL last season.
"Zac is an established scorer at this level," Wheeling coach Mark Dennehy told the team's website. "We couldn't be happier to bring him home to the Pittsburgh area."
Lynch has split time between the AHL and ECHL since turning pro late in the 2015-16 season. He has eight points in 36 career AHL games with Portland, Springfield and Utica. He had 80 points in 92 ECHL games with Manchester, recording 40 goals and 40 assists.
In four seasons at RMU, the former Shaler student posted 67 goals, 89 assists and 156 points in 152 games. His goals and points totals rank second all-time in the program's 15-year history. In 2015-16, he recorded a program-best 55 points for the Colonials.
Lynch joins Cody Wydo and Daniel Leavens as former RMU stars to go on to play for the Penguins' ECHL affiliate in Wheeling. Lynch, Wydo and Leavens were teammates on the Colonials' 2013-14 team which reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
"This is very exciting for me, as I will be near my hometown of Pittsburgh and near my family and friends," Lynch said. "I watched the organization a lot growing up, and I am humbled to be part of such a storied team. I pride myself on being a solid two-way player. Special teams are a big part of my game, and my ability to score has driven me every year to produce more. My goal is to better myself, while also pushing my teammates to get better."
