RANGERS PROSPECTS GROUND WINGS

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 – New York Rangers 4, Detroit Red Wings 3

•The New York Rangers prospects defeated the Detroit Red Wings prospects, 4-3, on Wednesday, September 9, at the 2009 Traverse City (Michigan) Prospects Tournament.  The Rangers improved to 2-1-0 in the tournament to finish in a tie atop the Eastern Division, and advance to the third place game.

•The Rangers pulled out a four-goal lead through the second period, despite being out-shot, 23-21, over the span.

•The Blueshirts prospects went five-for-six on the penalty kill to improve to 16-for-17 overall in the tournament.

•Defenseman Mitch Gaulton tallied a game-high, two assists, both coming in the middle frame.  Gaulton was the Rangers’ sixth round choice, 171st overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

•Rangers’ 2009 draft picks, Ethan Werek (second round, 47th overall) and Ryan Bourque (third round, 80th overall), teamed up for a second period goal to give the Blueshirt prospects a three-goal advantage.  Werek and Bourque have both registered one goal and two assists apiece in three tournament contests.

•Rangers’ prospects Captain, Dale Weise, recorded a team-high, six shots on net.  Weise was the Rangers’ fourth round choice, 111th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

•Justin Soryal recorded one assist and three shots on net in the contest.  Soryal originally signed with the Rangers as a free agent on March 12, 2008.

•Chad Johnson, acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2009 fifth round selection (Andy Bathgate) on June 27, 2009, stopped 32 of 35 shots in net for the Rangers.

•The New York Rangers prospects return to action tomorrow, September 10, when they will face-off against the Minnesota Wild prospects for third place in the tournament.  The game will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Centre ICE 1 in Traverse City, Michigan.

Director of Player Personnel, Gordie Clark, on Chad Johnson:

“He was excellent once again.  Chad was very sharp tonight, stopping 20 top scoring chances.  One of those saves was a penalty shot by Johan Ryno (of Detroit) that never had a chance of getting by him.”

On Justin Soryal:

“He made the two best passes of the game.  On the first, he hit Ethan (Werek) perfectly on stride driving to the net.  The second sprung (Luke) Walker loose with a rink-wide pass to the right wing.”