The Connecticut Whale’s best player in terms of being ready for the NHL, Dale Weise has been called up by the NY Rangers.
Weise hope to make his NHL debut tomorrow afternoon when the NY Rangers travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native spoke briefly with Howlings as he was preparing to leave for the airport.
“I’m totally pumped up for the opportunity to play in the next level,” Weise said. “It’s been a tough start to the season (with wrist surgery and then breaking his finger) but I’ve been working really hard and feel like I’m ready.”
Ironically, when Weise received his recall at the end of last season, but didn’t get into a game, it was also a Callahan injury that precipitated the move.
“It’s funny the way things work out.” Weise said with a laugh. “Last year Cally gets hurt and I get recalled and this year he gets hurt again and I get recalled. I really have to thank him when I see him. He’s doing everything he can to help me get an NHL career.”
Here’s the official release:
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Dale Weise has been recalled from the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Weise, 22, has registered a point in three consecutive games, tallying three goals and two assists over the span. The third-year pro tallied the game-winning goal in each of the Whale’s last two games, a home-and-home set against the Adirondack Phantoms, with a two-goal performance in a 4-3 win at Connecticut on Sunday and the power play, game-winner in the third period of a 6-4 win at Adirondack on Wednesday. Weise has registered six goals and five assists for 11 points, along with 22 penalty minutes in 12 games with the Whale this season. He averages 0.92 points per game, which ranks second on the team, and is tied for third with three power play goals and ranks fourth with six goals despite missing 18 games due to injury this season.
The 6-2, 210-pounder has registered 45 goals and 39 assists for 84 points, along with 200 penalty minutes in 159 career AHL games with the Hartford Wolf Pack/Connecticut Whale. Last season, Weise established AHL career-highs in goals (28), assists (22), points (50), penalty minutes (114), power play goals (four), shorthanded goals (five), game-winning goals (seven), and shots (177), and tied his career-high with a plus-eight rating. His five shorthanded goals tied for the AHL lead, while his 28 goals tied for 14th in the league. He also led the team and tied for fourth in the AHL in game-winning goals, and ranked second on the team in goals and shots, third in points, fifth in penalty minutes, and tied for fourth in power play goals and plus/minus rating, and seventh in assists.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was originally the Rangers’ fourth round choice, 111th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers return to action tomorrow when they will face-off against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center (1:00 p.m.). The contest will be televised live on MSG Network, and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio or at www.newyorkrangers.com.
