Mariners goaltender reassigned
BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners
PORTLAND, ME – November 21, 2018 – The New York Rangers, the NHL affiliate of the Mariners, reassigned goaltender Chris Nell to the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Tuesday. The 24-year-old goalie appeared in 4 games for the Swamp Rabbits last season.
Nell has made four starts for the Mariners this season, with a 1-3-0 record, a 3.53 GAA, and a .902 SV%. Nell gained the Mariners their first road win in franchise history when he stopped 33 of 36 shots on November 7th at Reading, a 4-2 Mariners win. In the same game, Nell made an impressive diving stick save that earned the #1 spot on the ECHL Plays of the Week. He was fantastic in his most recent start this past Friday, November 19th in a 3-0 loss at Brampton. Nell faced 46 shots, stopping 43.
The Green Bay, WI native signed with the Rangers in March of 2017 after finishing his collegiate career at Bowling Green State University. He appeared in 4 games for AHL Hartford that spring, and 18 more last season with an 8-8-0 record and a 3.15 GAA. Nell also saw action with Adirondack and Kansas City in 2017-18 in addition to Greenville.
Nell has 18 games of experience at the AHL level, all with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
The Wisconsin native spent three seasons at Bowling Green State University and put forth outstanding numbers. He finished his college career with 84 appearances, a 41-28-10 record, a 2.07 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. His sophomore season, where he posted a 1.91/.930 split, earned him WCHA First Team All-Star recognition.
He played his junior hockey with the Chicago Steel, where he was drafted 6th overall in Phase II of the 2012 USHL Draft.
The Mariners are home this Saturday, November 24th to host the Manchester Monarchs at 6:00 PM. It’s Teddy Bear Toss Night and the first 2,000 fans through the gate will receive a Mariners’ winter beanie. Tickets can be purchased at MarinersOfMaine.com or by calling 207-775-3458.
