Penguins hang Schultz's dog from rafters in hilarious prank

The Elbow staff

Justin Schultz's dog Billy dangles from the rafters prior to Friday's practice session. Arena picture provided by Dave

PITTSBURGH, PA – Welcome to Pittsburgh, Justin Schultz!

Finally joining his Penguins teammates for the first time since last week's trade from Edmonton, the 25-year-old defenceman was greeted at training on Friday with one of hockey's great pranks.

Hanging from the rafters was his very own three-year-old miniature schnauzer, Billy.

"They got me good," Schultz laughed when talking to the media after practice.

"You can tell straight away that this is a good group of guys. I have no idea how they got my dog, but I'm very impressed with the effort they put into the prank to pull it all together."

It is believed that serial jokester Marc-Andre Fleury was behind the gag, but the netminder denied all involvement when he was asked about it by reporters in the locker room.

"I heard it was Dupuis," he said with a smirk. "He's been hanging around recently and no one really knows what he's up to."

Schultz said that when he first got to the Oilers in 2012, a couple of guys put shaving cream in his skates before his first practice with the team.

"It was typical minor league stuff that translated into the way they played on the ice."

"Gordie Howe used to say that the team that's willing to kill a dog together are ready to win together. These guys are legit."