HOLLWEG HEADING NORTH

Former Wolf Pack, and now former NY Ranger forward, Ryan Hollweg is headed up north to Toronto after being traded for Pittsburgh’s fifth round pick in next year’s draft.

Hollweg, while very popular for his rugged play, never amounted to much at the NHL level. Hollweg was always very open to speak about just about anything with Howlings in the times we spent with him.

Hollweg’s nickname amongst his friends was “Hollywood” given his Southern California roots. His antics off the ice were almost a well known as on as he was a very popular with his teammates for livening up the room as seen here: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXvyxKrkpgM&hl=en&fs=1]

As for his place in Rangers history, he’ll probably be best remembered for this little piece of history:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dHzSzexrb0&hl=en&fs=1]

Here’s the official release from the team.

RYAN HOLLWEG TRADED TO TORONTO
Rangers acquire Pittsburgh’s 5th round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has traded forward Ryan Hollweg to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Pittsburgh’s fifth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. New York now has a total of eight draft picks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft after previously acquiring Phoenix’s fifth round pick (along with David LeNeveu, Fredrik Sjostrom and Josh Gratton for Al Montoya and Marcel Hossa).

Hollweg, 25, appeared in 70 games with the Rangers this past season, registering two goals and two assists for four points, along with 96 penalty minutes. His 174 hits ranked fourth on the team. On January 10, he posted his first career multiple-goal game with two goals vs. Philadelphia. Hollweg also skated in eight post-season games during the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The 5-11, 210-pounder has appeared in 200 career NHL games over three seasons with the Rangers, collecting five goals and seven assists for 12 points, along with 311 penalty minutes. He registered his first career NHL point (assist) in his NHL debut on October 5, 2005 at Philadelphia. In addition, Hollweg has skated in 14 career post-season contests with the Rangers, collecting one assist and 23 penalty minutes.
The native of Downey, California has also appeared in 88 career American Hockey League (AHL) contests with the Hartford Wolf Pack, registering 11 goals and eight assists for 19 points, along with 252 penalty minutes.

(Ryan Hollweg image courtesy of photobucket.com)