Rangers Prospect Report: 3.27.17

Three Stars of the Week

Gabriel Fontaine, C, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) - Fontaine registered the game-winning goal in overtime to help Rouyn-Noranda win Game 2 of its first round series against Halifax on Mar. 25. The Rangers' sixth round pick (174th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has recorded 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) and a plus-11 rating in 28 career QMJHL playoff contests.

Ryan Gropp, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) - Gropp recorded two points (one goal, one assist) in two games last week, helping the Thunderbirds win the first two games of their playoff series against Tri-City. The Rangers' second round pick (41st overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft registered a power play goal in the first period of Game 1 of the series on Mar. 24, and he has now recorded 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 28 career WHL playoff games. Dating back to the regular season, Gropp has tallied a point in each of the last nine games (five goals, seven assists), in 29 of the last 31 games (25 goals, 31 assists), and 34 of the last 37 contests (27 goals, 25 assists).

Tyler Wall, G, UMass-Lowell River Hawks (NCAA) - Wall posted a 1-1 record, along with a 1.47 GAA, a .936 SV%, and 1 SO last week, but his season ended as UMass-Lowell was defeated by Notre Dame, 3-2, in overtime on Mar. 26. The Rangers' sixth round pick (174th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft posted a 12-2-0 record, along with a 1.94 GAA, a .918 SV%, and 1 SO in his final 14 appearances of the season. In 37 appearances this season, Wall posted a 26-10-1 record, along with a 2.06 GAA, a .918 SV%, and 2 SO. As of the conclusion of his season, Wall is tied for second in the NCAA in wins and ranks seventh in the NCAA in GAA this season.

Emerging from the Pack

Ty Ronning tallied his first career AHL goal, assist, and point, and skated in his first career AHL game last week. The Rangers' seventh round pick (201st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft was signed by the Wolf Pack to an Amateur Tryout agreement (ATO) on Mar. 23 following the conclusion of his junior season with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Ronning notched his first career AHL assist/point while making his AHL debut on Mar. 24 vs. Providence, and he tallied his first career AHL goal on Mar. 25 vs. Bridgeport.

Taylor Beck tallied a point in three of four games last week, recording three points (two goals, one assist). Beck has recorded 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 11 games with the Wolf Pack. He ranks second in the AHL in points (62) and is tied for second in the AHL in assists (44) this season.

Marek Hrivik recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in four games last week, and he registered three assists and a plus-three rating on Mar. 25 vs. Bridgeport. Hrivik has recorded 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 47 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season, and he has established an AHL career-high in goals in 2016-17.

Magnus Hellberg made a season-high, 46 saves on Mar. 24 vs. Providence, and he stopped 80 of 88 shots he faced last week.

Quick Hits

Sean Day, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) - Day registered an assist, recorded seven shots on goal, and posted a plus-three rating while helping Windsor defeat London in Game 1 of its first round playoff series on Mar. 24. The Rangers' third round pick (81st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft leads the Spitfires in plus/minus rating (plus-three) and ranks second on the team in shots on goal (nine) through the first two games of the playoffs this year.

Tim Gettinger, LW, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) - Gettinger tallied an assist and posted a plus-two rating while helping the Greyhounds win Game 1 of their first round series against Flint on Mar. 23. The Rangers' fifth round pick (141st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has notched seven points (two goals, five assists) in 20 career OHL playoff contests.

Vinni Lettieri, F, University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA) - Lettieri agreed to terms on a contract with the Rangers on Mar. 27. The 22-year-old skated in 38 games this season, registering 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points, along with a plus-seven rating and 36 penalty minutes. He established collegiate career-highs in several categories in 2016-17, including games played, goals, assists, points, and plus/minus rating. Lettieri was named as an honorable mention to the All-Big Ten Team, and he was also University of Minnesota's selection for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

Brad Morrison, C, Prince George Cougars (WHL) - Morrison tallied a goal and posted a plus-two rating to help the Cougars win Game 2 of their first round playoff series against Portland on Mar. 26. The Rangers' fourth round pick (113th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft has registered 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 10 career WHL playoff games.

Chris Nell, G, Bowling Green State University Falcons (NCAA) - Nell agreed to terms on a contract with the Rangers on Mar. 23. The 22-year-old appeared in 34 games this season, posting a 17-14-2 record, along with a 2.15 GAA, a .916 SV%, and 4 SO. He posted four shutouts for the second consecutive season, tying his collegiate career-high, and he is tied for 10th in the NCAA in shutouts this season.

Igor Shesterkin, G, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) - Shesterkin made his KHL playoff debut on Mar. 23 against Lokomotiv, entering the game in relief. The Rangers' fourth round pick (118th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft earned his first career KHL playoff win during his relief appearance.

Sergey Zborovskiy, D, Regina Pats (WHL) - Zborovskiy registered an assist, posted a plus-three rating, and was selected as the game's Third Star in Game 2 of Regina's first round series against Calgary on Mar. 25. The Rangers' third round pick (79th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft helped Regina win the first two games of the series last week, and he has recorded seven assists/points and a plus-14 rating in 20 career WHL playoff contests.

- New York Rangers