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The Rangers have several prospects, highlighted by a few late round gems, enjoying productive seasons. Here's a break-down of who's doing what and where.
In the NHL
Petr Prucha, C/W (Acquired 2002 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 4, 101 Ov)
Prucha was having an outstanding season with the NHL's Rangers before having it interrupted by a knee injury that will keep him out for a few weeks. He currently has 25 goals and 32 points in 48 games played. He's far exceeded the organization's expectations this season. The HFNHL Rangers plan on signing him to a contract for the 2006-07 season.
Jim Slater, C (Acquired 2002 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 1, 26 Ov)
Slater has had a solid but unspectacular rookie season after making Atlanta out of camp. He is gaining valuable experience in his first pro season after a great career with Michigan St (NCAA). He currently has 7 goals and 13 points in 46 games played. He is expected to play a role with the HFNHL Rangers next season.
Chad LaRose, RW (Acquired 2001 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 8, 237 Ov)
An undrafted player in the NHL, LaRose caught on with the Hurricanes organization and has developed into a promising player. He started the season in the AHL, but was recalled a couple months into the season after lighting it up in the minors. Through 27 games, LaRose has 1 goal and 9 points for league leading Carolina.
Freddy Meyer, D (Acquired 2001 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 9, 295 Ov)
Another player that went undrafted in the NHL, Meyer is now one of the top six defensemen for the Flyers and is a mainstay on the powerplay. In 28 games, Meyer has 4 goals, 11 points, and is +11. If he keeps up his play and things work out in next year's training camp, Meyer may be among the Rangers top six defensemen in 2006-07.
Ryan Hollweg, C/W (Acquired as a free agent)
Signed after being released by the HFNHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, Hollweg has turned into a valuable ginder/agitator that can chip in a goal here and there. Hollweg has 2 goals and 4 points in 31 games this season.
Other Prospects
Shea Weber, D (Acquired 2003 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 4, 104 Ov)
Weber is considered the organization's top prospect. In his first pro season, he has played All-Star calibre hockey and has even been recalled to the NHL for a few games, scoring his first NHL point. In 40 AHL games, he has registered 11 goals and 25 points. He is a major part of the rebuilding plans for the Rangers.
Jeff Tambellini, RW (Acquired trade with Columbus)
Tambellini is also enjoying an outstanding first professional season. He was called up for a few games with the NHL's Kings and also made the AHL All-Star team. He has 21 goals and 45 points in 42 AHL games played. He has met the qualifications for the Mountain Dew endorsement by surpassing 40 points and has earned the Rangers $1M.
Jakub Kindl, D (Acquired 2005 HFNHL Draft Rnd 1, 20 Ov)
Kindl had a subpar year that caused his stock to drop before being drafted in 2005. This season has been a different story. He had a solid WJC despite only scoring one point. With the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, he has 10 goals and 44 points in 41 games.
Justin Pogge, G (Acquired 2004 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 7, 204 Ov)
Pogge has had an amazing season in the WHL and WJC. He led Team Canada the the gold medal in the WJC after going 6-0 with 3 shutouts. He's been a brick wall for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. He's put up a 31-6 record with a .929% and 1.60 GAA. He's the leading candidate for CHL Goaltender of the Year and will almost certainly finish in the top 3 in the WHL in SV% and GAA to meet the Mountain Dew requirements and give the Rangers an extra $1M in the bank.
Chris Bourque, F (Acquired 2004 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 4, 106 Ov)
The son of all-time great, Ray Bourque, Chris has had an up and down season in his first professional hockey campaign. Last season as a freshman with Boston University, Bourque totaled 10 goals and 23 points in 33 games. This season, he has 7 goals and 23 points in 33 games played in his rookie AHL season with the Hershey Bears. He represented Team USA in the WJC and finished first in the tournament in goals with 7, although 5 of those came against the weak Norwegian team.
Nathan Paetsch, D (Acquired Trade with Florida)
Paetsch was acquired by the Rangers from the Florida Panthers just before the season began, and he has not disappointed. Nathan was named as a starter to the Canadian AHL All-Star Team. He currently has 7 goals and 29 assists for 36 points in 47 games played, good for sixth overall among AHL defensemen. He was also called up to the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and notched his first NHL point earlier in the year.
Michal Barinka, D (Acquired Trade with New Jersey)
Barinka is another prospect who has had a solid but unspectacular season, but that has been a common theme for Barinka up to this point in his career. He is a stay-at-home defender and has done well while healthy this season with Norfolk of the AHL. He was called up to the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks but was injured after playing only a couple games.
Matt Keetley, G (Acquired 2005 Entry Draft - Rnd 7, 212 Ov)
Keetley has put together an outstanding season for Medicine Hat of the WHL after being a late round draft choice last summer. The only WHL goaltender who has put up better numbers is fellow HFNHL Ranger prospect Justin Pogge. Keetley currently has a 1.91 GAA and a .920 SV% with a record of 34-8-5. Look for this late round gem to continue to move up prospect lists in the coming seasons.
Alexandre Vincent, G (Acquired 2005 Entry Draft - Rnd 2, 41 Ov)
Vincent slipped in the 2005 Draft a little more than most people expected, but he has put together a nice season for Chicoutimi (QMJHL). While splitting playing time with Sylvain Michaud, Vincent has compiled a 15-6 record with a 3.04 GAA and a .904 SV%.
Stefan Meyer, F (Acquired Trade with Colorado)
Meyer has scored 10 goals and added 9 assists for 19 points in his rookie pro season with the AHL's Rochester Americans. This is about what was expected from the forward this season, but expectations will increase in the coming seasons.
In the NHL
Petr Prucha, C/W (Acquired 2002 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 4, 101 Ov)
Prucha was having an outstanding season with the NHL's Rangers before having it interrupted by a knee injury that will keep him out for a few weeks. He currently has 25 goals and 32 points in 48 games played. He's far exceeded the organization's expectations this season. The HFNHL Rangers plan on signing him to a contract for the 2006-07 season.
Jim Slater, C (Acquired 2002 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 1, 26 Ov)
Slater has had a solid but unspectacular rookie season after making Atlanta out of camp. He is gaining valuable experience in his first pro season after a great career with Michigan St (NCAA). He currently has 7 goals and 13 points in 46 games played. He is expected to play a role with the HFNHL Rangers next season.
Chad LaRose, RW (Acquired 2001 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 8, 237 Ov)
An undrafted player in the NHL, LaRose caught on with the Hurricanes organization and has developed into a promising player. He started the season in the AHL, but was recalled a couple months into the season after lighting it up in the minors. Through 27 games, LaRose has 1 goal and 9 points for league leading Carolina.
Freddy Meyer, D (Acquired 2001 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 9, 295 Ov)
Another player that went undrafted in the NHL, Meyer is now one of the top six defensemen for the Flyers and is a mainstay on the powerplay. In 28 games, Meyer has 4 goals, 11 points, and is +11. If he keeps up his play and things work out in next year's training camp, Meyer may be among the Rangers top six defensemen in 2006-07.
Ryan Hollweg, C/W (Acquired as a free agent)
Signed after being released by the HFNHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, Hollweg has turned into a valuable ginder/agitator that can chip in a goal here and there. Hollweg has 2 goals and 4 points in 31 games this season.
Other Prospects
Shea Weber, D (Acquired 2003 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 4, 104 Ov)
Weber is considered the organization's top prospect. In his first pro season, he has played All-Star calibre hockey and has even been recalled to the NHL for a few games, scoring his first NHL point. In 40 AHL games, he has registered 11 goals and 25 points. He is a major part of the rebuilding plans for the Rangers.
Jeff Tambellini, RW (Acquired trade with Columbus)
Tambellini is also enjoying an outstanding first professional season. He was called up for a few games with the NHL's Kings and also made the AHL All-Star team. He has 21 goals and 45 points in 42 AHL games played. He has met the qualifications for the Mountain Dew endorsement by surpassing 40 points and has earned the Rangers $1M.
Jakub Kindl, D (Acquired 2005 HFNHL Draft Rnd 1, 20 Ov)
Kindl had a subpar year that caused his stock to drop before being drafted in 2005. This season has been a different story. He had a solid WJC despite only scoring one point. With the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, he has 10 goals and 44 points in 41 games.
Justin Pogge, G (Acquired 2004 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 7, 204 Ov)
Pogge has had an amazing season in the WHL and WJC. He led Team Canada the the gold medal in the WJC after going 6-0 with 3 shutouts. He's been a brick wall for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. He's put up a 31-6 record with a .929% and 1.60 GAA. He's the leading candidate for CHL Goaltender of the Year and will almost certainly finish in the top 3 in the WHL in SV% and GAA to meet the Mountain Dew requirements and give the Rangers an extra $1M in the bank.
Chris Bourque, F (Acquired 2004 HFNHL Draft - Rnd 4, 106 Ov)
The son of all-time great, Ray Bourque, Chris has had an up and down season in his first professional hockey campaign. Last season as a freshman with Boston University, Bourque totaled 10 goals and 23 points in 33 games. This season, he has 7 goals and 23 points in 33 games played in his rookie AHL season with the Hershey Bears. He represented Team USA in the WJC and finished first in the tournament in goals with 7, although 5 of those came against the weak Norwegian team.
Nathan Paetsch, D (Acquired Trade with Florida)
Paetsch was acquired by the Rangers from the Florida Panthers just before the season began, and he has not disappointed. Nathan was named as a starter to the Canadian AHL All-Star Team. He currently has 7 goals and 29 assists for 36 points in 47 games played, good for sixth overall among AHL defensemen. He was also called up to the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and notched his first NHL point earlier in the year.
Michal Barinka, D (Acquired Trade with New Jersey)
Barinka is another prospect who has had a solid but unspectacular season, but that has been a common theme for Barinka up to this point in his career. He is a stay-at-home defender and has done well while healthy this season with Norfolk of the AHL. He was called up to the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks but was injured after playing only a couple games.
Matt Keetley, G (Acquired 2005 Entry Draft - Rnd 7, 212 Ov)
Keetley has put together an outstanding season for Medicine Hat of the WHL after being a late round draft choice last summer. The only WHL goaltender who has put up better numbers is fellow HFNHL Ranger prospect Justin Pogge. Keetley currently has a 1.91 GAA and a .920 SV% with a record of 34-8-5. Look for this late round gem to continue to move up prospect lists in the coming seasons.
Alexandre Vincent, G (Acquired 2005 Entry Draft - Rnd 2, 41 Ov)
Vincent slipped in the 2005 Draft a little more than most people expected, but he has put together a nice season for Chicoutimi (QMJHL). While splitting playing time with Sylvain Michaud, Vincent has compiled a 15-6 record with a 3.04 GAA and a .904 SV%.
Stefan Meyer, F (Acquired Trade with Colorado)
Meyer has scored 10 goals and added 9 assists for 19 points in his rookie pro season with the AHL's Rochester Americans. This is about what was expected from the forward this season, but expectations will increase in the coming seasons.
