OHHH, YOU DON’T HAVE TO CALL ME JOHNSON…

The Rangers have announced that they have signed goaltender Chad "Don't Call Me Ochocinco" Johnson to a contract. As usual no terms were announced. One thing is for sure, they didn't trade for Johnson so he could waste idly by. He will compete with Matt Zaba and Miika Wiikman for a position in Hartford with one of the three likely headed to man the nets in Charlotte.

Here's the official release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with goaltender Chad Johnson.

Johnson, 23, was acquired by the Rangers from the Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for a fifth round pick (151st overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, on June 27.  He appeared in 35 games with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) last season, registering a 14-16-5 mark with a 1.66 goals against average.  Johnson earned CCHA Player of the Year honors, and was named to the CCHA First All-Star Team.  He was also selected to the NCAA West All-American Second Team.  He led the CCHA in goals against average and save percentage, and achieved career-highs in games played, wins, goals against average, save percentage (.940), and shutouts (six).

The 6-3, 200-pounder has appeared in 79 career CCHA games with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, posting a 25-35-11 mark, along with a 2.33 goals against average, .918 save percentage and seven shutouts.  Johnson recorded his first collegiate shutout during the 2006-07 season.  As a freshman in 2005-06, he collected six wins and posted a 2.56 goals against average with a .917 save percentage.  He finished the season ranked third in the conference among first-year players in goals against average and save percentage.

The Calgary, Alberta native was originally Pittsburgh’s fifth round choice, 125th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.