Don’t sweat it New York Rangers hockey fans, the NHL may still be in a lockout, but that does not mean all hockey has vanished. There is still plenty of Rangers hockey going on right now as affiliates of NHL teams are currently running training camps for their upcoming seasons. The Rangers affiliate, The Connecticut Whale have a few young and talented players that you need to pay attantion to. However, there are three Prospects that you really need to watch out for.
1. Chris Kreider – Now I know what most of you Ranger fans are thinking, Kreider is not a prospect, he just played for the Rangers in the playoffs. That may be the case, but Kreider hasn’t suited up for a regular season professional game yet in his hockey career. In fact, the 21-year-old set a NHL record for most playoff goals (5) before ever playing his first regular season game. His amazing play in the postseason would’ve cemented himself a roster spot with the Rangers, but thanks to the lockout, Kreider will be playing at least part of this season with the Whale.
2. J.T. Miller – Miller has progresses faster than anyone in Rangers brass could have hoped. The 2011 first-round draft pick was more known as a gritty play around the time of the draft, but exploded for 62 points in 61 games in his first season in the Ontario Hockey League. He followed that up with 10 points in the playoffs as well. Miller was a late addition to both the Connecticut Whale playoff roster, as well as the New York Rangers playoff roster.
3. Dylan McIlrath – The Rangers took McIllrath with their first-round pick in 2010. The defenseman is coming off an injury that he suffered at the Rangers’ summer camp, but has been healing faster than they originally thought that he might. Like Miller, McIlrath played an entire season of junior hockey last year, posting 23 points for his club, before joining the Whale for the AHL postseason. He will bring his heavy-hitting style of play to Connecticut this year, and could see time with the Rangers if NHL play resumes.
I beleive that you will see all three of three prospects playing in madison Square Garden this season, that is if we have one. But if we do, you will find out first hand that the Rangers have the talent that can carry them for years to come.
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October 03, 2012
