Here are notes about some of the invitees:
Kevin Hancock: 20 year old center/left winger. He is the one invitee who still was eligible to be drafted this weekend but he wasn't. Steve Kournianos had him ranked as the 138th best overager available for this year's draft. Has had 2 more than point per game seasons for Owen Sound.
Drew Melanson: Senior left handed winger from Paramus New Jersey. Hartford signed five players to PTOs at the end of the year. Melanson was the only one invited to the camp. Played 3 years at RPI and then transferred to BU. 19 points in 40 games as a senior. With Quinn connection maybe he gets an AHL contract.
Mason Bergh, Junior, Center/Left Wing: In the Last Word Army's listing of the top 40 NCAA free agents, 3 are attending Rangers camp. Bergh is one. Here is the LWA write up on Bergh:
"Captain of Colorado College, Bergh has put up 16 goals and 37 points in 34 games this season. Bergh gets in quickly on the forecheck, pressuring defenders and creating turnovers in the offensive zone. He plays an aggressive style and does not back down from anyone. Bergh is an effective pest, going to the net and creating havoc. He will need to get stronger to continue to play this game at the pro level. He also has skill with a good wrist shot and release and the vision and passing skills to be a playmaker."
Brogan Rafferty: Sophomore, Right Defense: Rafferty is to me the most interesting of the 3 highly rated prospects because he plays right defense and the Rangers/Hartford are deficient in that area. Here is the LWA write up on Rafferty:
"The 22-year-old defenseman put up four goals and 17 points in 36 games this season. He attended development camp with the
Chicago Blackhawks last season. Rafferty is not afraid to rush the puck up the ice. He is a strong stick handler and has the agility and shiftiness to skate the puck out of danger. Rafferty also has good passing skills and can start the rush, or set up plays from the blue line. His agility allows him to walk the line and open up passing and shooting lanes. His defensive game is getting better, as he improves his positioning and learns how to use his size to battle for loose pucks in the corners and in front of the net."
Josh Teves: Junior, Left Defense: Teves is the final highly rated college player. He was a leader on Princeton's excellent team. Hartford had signed Princeton senior winger David Hellesey to a PTO at the end of last year but did not invite him to camp. I think I read where Teves said he was returning to school and the other top Princeton players, Max Verroneau and Ryan Kuffner, also have said they were returning for their senior years. Since the Rangers just traded for 3 highly ranked left handed defensemen and draft 4 more including a first round pick, it seems unlikely that Teves is a serious candidate for a contract after camp. Here is the LWA write up on Teves:
Teves has put up six goals and 28 points in 26 games this season. Teves is a slick skater, with good speed in both directions, and excellent pivots and crossovers. This allows him to cover a lot of ice, and to play an effective two-way game. He can skate the puck out of danger in his end, as well as lead the rush on the attack. Teves also has very good playmaking skills, which he can use in transition, or in playing the point on the powerplay. He is strong positionally and has a quick stick, but must improve his size and strength to succeed in the professional game.
Rafferty and Bergh are the two invitees that potentially interest me. The Rangers have occasionally signed invitees to contracts after prospect camp. Georgiev last year and Kyle Jean a few years ago are examples.
