Pionk is considered a defensive-defenseman and also happens to be a Minnesota native where he is expected to play his 2023-24 season for the University of Minnesota-Duluth of the NCAA. Standing at 6-1 and 172 pounds, Pionk is not the largest defenseman, however he has great gap control and a very active stick on the defensive side of the game. This past season, Pionk also managed to show some offensive upside posting 36 points in 60 games. He will need to work on his physicality and his offensive side of the game but will get the proper training by going the NCAA route. Pionk remains a long-term project, but if he is able to flourish at the NCAA level, there will be strong indications that he can one-day become an NHL bottom-four defender.
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