Rangers Prospect Report: 2.13.17

Three Stars of the Week

Ryan Gropp, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) - Gropp posted a multi-point game in all four games last week, registering 13 points (seven goals, six assists) and a plus-10 rating in the four contests. Gropp recorded a hat trick, including the game-winning goal, on Feb. 7 at Victoria, and he concluded the week by registering four points (two goals, two assists) on Feb. 11 vs. Portland.

The Rangers' second round pick (41st overall) extended his point streak to a WHL career-high 12 games, and he has tallied 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) and posted a plus-20 rating over the span. He has recorded a goal in each of the last six contests, registering nine goals over the span. In addition, Gropp has recorded a point in 17 of the last 18 contests, registering 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) and a plus-27 rating in those 18 games. During the 18-game stretch, Gropp has posted a plus-one rating or better in 16 different contests. Gropp leads Seattle in goals (22) and points (56), and he ranks second in assists (34) this season.

Igor Shesterkin, G, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) - Shesterkin represented Russia at the 2017 Sweden Hockey Games last week, a four-nation tournament that includes teams from the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, and Russia. The Rangers' fourth round pick (118th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft made 23 saves on 24 shots while helping Russia defeat Finland, 2-1, on Feb. 9, and he was selected as the best goaltender in the tournament.

Sean Day, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) - Day registered two points (one goal, one assist) and a plus-four rating in three games during the week. The Rangers' third round pick (81st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and a plus-eight rating over the last six contests. Day has tallied 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists) and has posted a plus-18 rating in 49 OHL games this season with Windsor and Mississauga. He has established an OHL career-high in goals this season, and he is tied for third among OHL defensemen in goals in 2016-17.

Emerging from the Pack

Adam Tambellini registered his first career AHL hat trick on Feb. 10 at Springfield, recording all three of the Wolf Pack's goals in a 3-2 win. The Rangers' third round pick (65th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft has notched five points (four goals, one assist) in the last five games and 11 points (five goals, six assists) in the last 12 contests. Tambellini is tied for second on the Wolf Pack in points (28) and is tied for third on the team in goals (11) this season.

Nicklas Jensen recorded a point in each of Hartford's two games last week (one goal, one assist), and he added to his AHL career-high in goals by tallying his 21st of the season on Feb. 11 at Hershey. Jensen has recorded a point in 21 of his last 25 games in the AHL, registering 25 points (15 goals, 10 assists) over the span. He is tied for fourth in the AHL in goals this season, and he leads the Wolf Pack in goals and points (36) in 2016-17.

Brandon Halverson stopped 32 of 34 shots he faced and earned a win on Feb. 10 at Springfield. The Rangers' second round pick (59th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has earned a win in three of his last four appearances, and he has made at least 30 saves in two of those four contests.

John Gilmour tallied an assist on Feb. 11 at Hershey. He has notched five assists/points in the last four games and eight assists/points in the last 13 games.

Quick Hits

Gabriel Fontaine, C, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) - Fontaine notched an assist on Feb. 9 at Gatineau. The Rangers' sixth round pick (171st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a point in six of the last eight games (one goal, five assists), as well as 12 of the last 15 games (10 goals, eight assists). Fontaine has registered 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) and a plus-16 rating in 46 QMJHL games this season (he recorded 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points in 63 QMJHL contests in 2015-16).

Ty Ronning, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL) - Ronning registered a goal and posted a plus-one rating on Feb. 8 at Prince George. The Rangers' seventh round pick (201st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a point in 11 of the last 20 games, recording 15 points (10 goals, five assists) over the span. He leads the Giants in goals (21) and points (43), and ranks third in assists (22) this season.

Tyler Wall, G, UMass Lowell River Hawks (NCAA) - Wall earned a win in both of his appearances/starts last week, posting a 2.00 GAA and a .902 SV% in the two contests. The Rangers' sixth round pick (174th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft extended his winning streak to four games, and he has allowed two goals or fewer in three of the four appearances. Wall has posted an 18-8-1 record, along with a 2.20 GAA, a .914 SV%, and 1 SO in 27 appearances this season.

Sergey Zborovskiy, D, Regina Pats (WHL) - Zborovskiy tallied an assist and posted a plus-two rating on Feb. 10 at Edmonton. The Rangers' third round pick (79th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft leads the WHL in plus/minus rating this season (plus-60). Zborovskiy has registered 29 assists and 35 points in 2016-17, both of which are WHL career-highs.

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