DUPONT ADDING CHEMISTRY TO RANGERS 

Brodie Dupont has signed a one year two-way deal with the New York Rangers and will compete for a spot in New York. “I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life,” the 23-year old winger/center said. “I feel like I’m ready to take the next step and I’m coming to camp to earn a spot in New York.”

The Russell, Manitoba native was one of only a couple of players that played in all 80 games for the Wolf Pack where he had 17 goals, and 22 assists for 39 points as well as 124 PIM. “I’m really happy to have the deal out of the way,” He told Howlings. “I’m excited to come to camp and compete either for a left side or center position.”

Dupont was exceptional in the middle last season in Hartford. He has the ability to get to the paint and score and was VERY strong in his own end defensively and was almost unbeatable in the circle on face-offs.

Here’s the official release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with forward Brodie Dupont on a new contract.

Dupont, 23, skated in 80 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2009-10, registering 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points, along with 124 penalty minutes.  He tied for second on the team in shorthanded goals (two), ranked fifth in goals and points, sixth in plus/minus rating (plus-four) and tied for seventh in assists.  Dupont established career-highs in games played, penalty minutes and shots (142), and recorded a career-high, nine multi-point efforts.  In his third professional season, Dupont tallied his 100th career AHL point with a shorthanded goal on April 3 at Springfield.  He registered a career-high, six-game point streak from February 12 at Providence to February 20 vs. Worcester, tallying six points (two goals and four assists) over the span.  Dupont registered three consecutive multi-point performances from March 10 at Worcester to March 13 vs. Lowell, recording one goal and one assist in each contest during the stretch.  In addition, Dupont posted two, two-goal efforts on November 6 at Providence and February 3 at Lowell, notching the game-winner in each contest.

In 2008-09, Dupont established AHL career-highs in goals (18), assists (24), points (42), power play goals (four) and game-winning goals (five) in his second professional season with Hartford.  He ranked fourth on Hartford in goals, tied for fourth in points and finished sixth on the team in assists.  Dupont also registered his first professional playoff point with an assist on April 20 at Worcester, and registered two assists and 15 penalty minutes in six post-season contests.

The 6-2, 210-pounder has skated in 225 career AHL games with Hartford, registering 44 goals and 59 assists for 103 points, along with 311 penalty minutes and a plus-nine rating.  Dupont made his professional debut with Hartford on October 6, 2007 vs. Bridgeport, and notched his first point with a shorthanded goal on October 24, 2007 vs. Providence.  He tied for second on the Wolf Pack with two shorthanded goals that season.  He also ranked third among team rookies in goals (nine) and points (22), and tied for second among first-year players in assists (13).

The Russell, Manitoba native was originally selected as the Rangers’ third round choice, 66th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.