New York Rangers‘ 1st round pick in the 2010 draft (#10 overall), fourth year defenseman Dylan McIlrath(6) has been on a slow climb from minors to the parent club but finally cracked the lineup out of 2015 training camp.
The excessively large 6’5″ 220 lbs. blue liner put up identical numbers in each of his last two seasons with affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack (6 goals, 11 assists, 17 points, 165 penalty minutes and 13 fighting majors).
In 13 games with the big club he’s already dropped the gloves on a pair of occasions and added his first NHL goal and an assist to his punishing style of shutdown hockey.
Through four years of juniors with Moosejaw Warriors of the WHL he accumulated 551 minutes in the sin bin but was also able to help out decently on the score sheet with 16 goals and 58 assists to his credit.
As he’s able to get himself a roster spot more often, his confidence will continue to grow and the 24-year old will in all likelihood become a top four d-man.