New York Rangers | CollegeHockeyPlayers

17Jan

Tomas Kundratek(34) Washington Capitals

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Originally a New York Rangers‘ 3rd round pick in 2008 (#90 overall), 2nd year defenseman Tomas Kundratek(34) was traded to Washington Capitals in the 2nd year of his 3-year two-way entry level deal. Word has it he asked for out of town.

Whatever he did it worked, because he was recently recalled to play in his first NHL games and so far he’s appeared in three, all wins for the team. He’s averaged roughly 10 hours of ice time per game. The Caps are fairly stocked on defense but as guy’s continue to get healthy, he’s making the most of his chance to play.

In 21 games with Hershey Bears, he has 6 an AHL career high 6 goals and a pair of assists.

09Jan

Ryan Russell(20) Columbus Blue Jackets

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5th year New York Rangers 2005 7th round pick (#211 overall) center Ryan Russell(20) played his 1st NHL regular season games over the weekend on call-up from Springfield Falcons by his new team Columbus Blue Jackets.

When he couldn’t come to terms with the Rangers on a contract he signed to a two-year entry deal and then another one year, two-way deal with Montreal Canadiens but spent time only with their AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs before he was traded in the offseason to start 2011/2012.

In 2 games with the Blue Jackets (a win and a loss), he’s skated an average of 12 minutes of ice time including a good amount on the pk. He’s played 30 games in the AHL and has 9 goals and 6 assists while maintaining an even plus/minus.

His twin brother Kris Russell plays defense for St. Louis Blues. He was a Blue Jackets‘ player up until mid-November, when he was traded. They did play in the preseason together though.

24Dec

Stu Bickel(4) New York Rangers

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Sometimes there’s a player that might not look like much in the AHL. He’s undrafted and almost completely falling under the radar. But then out of nowhere, that player gets his shot to play in the NHL. And he explodes.

4th year defenseman Stu Bickell(4) fits that description perfectly.

In 27 games with Connecticut Whale this season, he has a goal and 3 assists.

After his first three games with New York Rangers, he has four assists and a 3 game point streak going. He’s also a +4 plus/minus and has one fighting major and two roughing penalties to his credit.

Who knew? Obviously Rangers’ scouts did because they traded for him with Anaheim Ducks last season and re-signed him to a one-year, two-way contract.

He did have a strong training camp and accompanied the team to Europe to start the season but didn’t appear in any games before getting reassigned.

20Dec

Jed Ortmeyer(22) Minnesota Wild

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33-year old undrafted 9th year vet wing Jed Ortmeyer(22) has skated in 311 NHL games counting his current call up to Minnesota Wild, a team he has been signed with for the last couple seasons mostly for his leadership with the younger guys on their AHL affiliate Houston Aeros.

In 4 games with the Wild in 2010/2011 he failed to register a point but he plays big and can’t really shut opposing players done.

Throughout his career he skated 3 years with New York Rangers to start, followed by a couple of seasons in Nashville Predators‘ system and then his career best full season with San Jose Sharks in 2009/2010 (8 goals, 11 assists) before ending up in Minnesota.

In his first NHL game of 2011/2012, he skated almost 12 minutes of ice time.

19Dec

Aaron Voros(34) Connecticut Whale

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8th year wing Aaron Voros(34) signed a pto with Connecticut Whale in mid-November. In 10 games he’s posted 2 goals and 2 assists. He’s played 261 AHL games with 6 different teams.

Originally drafted in the 8th round of 2001 (#229 overall) by New Jersey Devils, he played for three years in their system without ever receiving a call-up. He was traded to Minnesota Wild in the last year of his entry level contract and played his first game with the team in the next season.

Over the next 4 seasons he would appear in 162 NHL games with Minnesota, mostly notably New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks putting up 18 goals, 19 assists and 395 penalty minutes.

He’s a big presence on the ice at 6’4″ and 215 lbs.

15Dec

Dane Byers(34) Columbus Blue Jackets

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6th year wing Dane Byers(34) received his first call-up to his new team Columbus Blue Jackets and played in his first NHL game in a couple of seasons.

He was originally a 2nd round pick in the 2004 draft (#48 overall) by New York Rangers. He played over 250 games in their system with their AHL affiliate, Hartford Wolf Pack and appeared in 6 games of two seasons with the Blueshirts scoring one goal.

Last season was an interesting one for him as he was involved in three minor league deals that had him go first to Springfield Falcons, then San Antonio Rampage to finish the year.

In the offseason, the Blue Jackets signed the unrestricted free agent to a one-year, tw0-way contract. He is the current team captain for Springfield and shows great leadership on the ice.

11Dec

Evgeny Gratchev(91) Peoria Rivermen

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After failing to connect like he did in preseason, the monstrous (6’4″ 225 lbs.) center Evgeny Gratchev(91) is reassigned by St. Louis Blues to their AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen to go find that scoring touch after only producing two assists in 17 games played to start the season.

He was acquired by the Blues in an offseason trade with New York Rangers for a 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft (#75 overall).

At 21 years old, it seems like he’s struggling a bit to find his form in the NHL game. It’s still only his third pro season and he may be something of a late developer to becoming the power forward he is projected to be.

04Dec

Dylan Reese(2) New York Islanders

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5th year defenseman (his 3rd in the Islanders‘ system) Dylan Reese(2) is making the most of his 1st NHL call up of the 2011/2012 season.

He potted a flutterer from the point in his 2nd game with the team, which also turned out to be a win for the team.

Originally a 7th round pick by New York Rangers in 2003 (#209 overall), the Isles is the only team he’s played in the NHL with. He has just under 300 games of AHL experience with Bridgeport Sound Tigers (his current team), Syracuse Crunch, San Antonio Rampage and Hartford Wolf Pack.

He does have the ability to be an offensive threat from the point.

02Dec

Chad Johnson(30) / Cameron Talbot(33) Connecticut Whale

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Having a hot backstop heading into the playoffs is always a recipe for success. Having two is flat out insane.

This could very well be the scenario for Connecticut Whale as they march through the 2011/2012 season.

The goaltender tandem of 2006 Pittsburgh Penguins‘ 5th round pick (#125 overall), traded to the Rangers in 2009, Chad Johnson(30) and undrafted free agent signing in 2010, Cameron Talbot(33) looks to make the Whale favorites for the 2012 AHL Calder Cup.

Johnson already picked up AHL Goaltender Of The Month honors for October.

The pair played the majority of last season with the team but something for this team feels a lot different this year.

01Dec

Chris and Ryan Bourque(17)

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It was dubbed the Bourque Bowl by the folks in the media with Connecticut Whale and honestly that’s pretty much exactly what it was.

Stanley Cup Champion / Hall Of Fame defenseman, Ray Bourque‘s two sons play for a pair of AHL teams and this would be the first time in not only their pro playing career but pretty much ever that the brothers would play against each other.

Because of the 5 year age difference they really never had the chance: until now.

In his 7th year, Washington Capitals‘ 2004 2nd round pick (#33 overall), Chris Bourque(17) is absolutely tearing up the scoring sheet with Hershey Bears. His 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) have him in second amongst the league leading scorers.

His younger brother, Ryan Bourque(17) was New York Rangers‘ 2009 3rd round pick (#80 overall). He played two seasons in juniors before turning pro this season and gets his pro start with Connecticut Whale.

He’s described as a good overall player that forechecks ferociously. In 13 games he has 1 goal and a pair of assists. Listed at 5’9″ 164 lbs, he’s small like his older brother but plays much bigger than his listed size suggests.

The brothers both wear the number 17.