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<p>CRANBERRY TWP. &#8212; Tom Kostopoulos sat at his locker stall in the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex surrounded by players almost 20 years younger.</p><p>The 37-year-old watched the youthful enthusiasm of his teammates, most of whom were just starting their pro hockey careers. Entering his 18th season, Kostopoulos wonders if the end of his career is on the horizon.</p><p>&#8220;I imagine, but we&#8217;ll see how it goes,&#8221; he said when asked if this would be his last training camp. &#8220;I&#8217;m just trying to enjoy every day. We&#8217;ll see how the year goes.&#8221;</p><p>Kostopoulos signed a one-year AHL contract in the summer to return to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a fourth consecutive full season. He began his career with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 1999 and, after five seasons, embarked on a full-time NHL career before returning back to the AHL squad in 2013.</p><p>While his NHL playing days are over and his future after this season is unclear, Kostopoulos has proven he can still contribute at the AHL level. He registered 19 goals with the Penguins last season, along with 52 points &#8212; his highest total in the AHL since 2004-05. Kostopoulos didn&#8217;t run out of gas, either, tallying 12 points in 10 playoff games last season.</p><p>His success last season, and the urging of his teammates, enticed Kostopoulos to return. Now, back in another training camp, he admitts it&#8217;s nice to be back in a hockey locker room.</p><p>&#8220;It feels good. I thought last year would be my last one, but it&#8217;s good to be here again and see the young guys go through the process.&#8221;</p><p>That process is one of opportunity after last season saw Conor Sheary, Tom Kuhnhackl, Scott Wilson, Matt Murray and Bryan Rust all reach the NHL and contribute to Pittsburgh&#8217;s Stanley Cup championship.</p><p>Kostopoulos feels like he had a hand in their development while they were at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and that alone is enough to keep him coming back for one more season.</p><p>&#8220;The last few years I thought this would be my last one but when you do come back, you appreciate it more,&#8221; Kostopoulos said. &#8220;You appreciate having a job, having a contract and spending time with the guys.</p><p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s going to happen after I&#8217;m done, but I&#8217;m enjoying things right now.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Tom Kostopoulos has returned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for one more season. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_Kostopoulos1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Tom Kostopoulos has returned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for one more season. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Tom Venesky</p><p>tvenesky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TLTomVenesky</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Tom Kostopoulos ‘imagines’ this will be his last hockey season, but leaves the door open