1931: The Rangers defeat the Detroit Falcons, 3-2, at Madison Square Garden for the 100th victory in franchise history.
1987: The Rangers acquire future Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne, along with Jeff Crossman and a third-round pick in 1989 from Los Angeles for Bobby Carpenter and Tom Laidlaw.
Rangers Notes:
BRADY SKJEI & MAGNUS HELLBERG RETURNED BY THE RANGERS TO AHL HARTFORD WOLFPACK
With both Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal returning to the Rangers linup this weekend the Rangers demoted bot Skjei and Hellberg to the Pack on Wednesday.
ZUCCARELLO SURPASSES LAST SEASONS TOTALS
Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists versus Buffalo for the Rangers and his 14th multi-point game of the season.
With his three points, Zuccarello surpassed his point total for last season (49) and currently leads the Rangers with 51 points.
RANGERS HAPPY WITH PROGRESSION OF BRADY SKJEI
Alain Vigneault said after the game in Buffalo that he thought Skjei played well and he is very pleased with the progression Skjei has made in his game.
Reports the Rangers were getting from Hartford on Skjei were that he is playing "extremely well."
RANGERS PLAN TO USE ERIC STALL IN FRONT OF THE NET
Alain Vigneault metioned that along with Rick Nas, Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller Staal has a very strong presence in front that the Rangers need to take advantage of.
INJURY REPORT:
The demotions of Brady Skjei and Magnus Hellberg on Wednesday should be a sign that both Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal are healthy enough to return to the lineup this weekend. The decision on which game, Saturday in Detroit or Sunday vs Pittsburgh that Lundqvist will start has not yet been revealed by Alain Vigneault. Rick Nash is said to be progressing normally and might be able to return to the Rangers lineup sometime next week. Defenseman Dylan McIlrath is still listed as week to week due to an injury to his right knee after a collision with NY Islanders Cal Clutterbuck. With Brady Skjei being returned to the Wolf Pack look for the Rangers to recall another defenseman to add as the 7th. Earlier in the week Vigneault metioned that Skjei might be returned to Hartford due to "Cap Issues". Skjei is a $900,00 cap hit while playing with the Club.
PROSPECTS REPORT
Ryan Gropp, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) – Gropp tallied six points (four goals, two assists) in four games during the week. The Rangers’ second round pick (41st overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft registered his second hat trick of the season, notched the game-winning goal, and posted a plus-three rating on Mar. 1 vs. Tri-City. Gropp has notched a point in 23 of the last 28 games (15 goals, 21 assists), including 19 of the last 23 games (12 goals, 16 assists). Gropp has also recorded a point in 37 of the last 52 games, tallying 59 points (28 goals, 31 assists) over the span. He has established WHL career-highs in goals (33), assists (35), and points (68) this season. Gropp leads Seattle in goals, ranks second in points, and ranks third in assists in 2015-16.
Brad Morrison, C, Prince George Cougars (WHL) – Morrison posted three multi-point games in four contests during the week, registering six points (two goals, four assists) in those games. The Rangers’ fourth round pick (113th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a point in eight of the last 11 games, registering 12 points (five goals, seven assists) over the span. Morrison has recorded 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) in the last 44 games, including 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in the last 37 games. Morrison has also recorded a point in 15 of the last 23 games, registering 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) over the span. He has established WHL career-highs in goals (26), assists (32), and points (58) this season.
Cristoval Nieves, C, University of Michigan (NCAA) – Nieves registered two assists in each of Michigan’s two games during the week. The Rangers’ second round pick (59th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft is one assist and three points away from tying collegiate career-highs in each category. Nieves has recorded seven assists/points in the last seven games and 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in the last 20 contests.
Emerging from the Pack
Nicklas Jensen registered the game-deciding goal in the shootout on Mar. 2 at Bridgeport and notched an assist on Mar. 6 vs. Bridgeport. Jensen has recorded 12 points (eight goals, four assists) and a plus-four rating in 23 games with the Wolf Pack this season.
Marek Hrivik tallied an assist on Mar. 6 vs. Bridgeport. He leads the Wolf Pack in assists (22) and is tied for second on the team in points (29) this season.
Quick Hits
Daniel Bernhardt, RW, London Knights (OHL) – Bernhardt recorded the game-winning goal on Mar. 4 vs. Sault Ste. Marie. The Rangers’ fourth round pick (119th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft has registered nine points (three goals, six assists) and a plus-three rating in 23 games with London this season, and two of his three goals have been game-winning goals.
Pavel Buchnevich, LW, SKA-St. Petersburg (KHL) – Buchnevich tallied his first career KHL playoff goal in Game 5 while helping SKA win its first round playoff series against Lokomotiv. The Rangers’ third round pick (75th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft recorded a point in three of the final four games of the series (one goal, two assists). Buchnevich tied for second on the team in plus/minus rating (plus-three), tied for third in assists (two), and tied for fourth in points (three) during the series against Lokomotiv.
Brandon Halverson, G, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) – Halverson stopped 29 of 31 shots he faced and earned a win on Mar. 3 at Sarnia. The Rangers’ second round pick (59th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has made at least 27 saves in each of his last 10 appearances, including 30 or more saves in eight of those contests.
Adam Huska, G, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) – Huska stopped 21 of 22 shots he faced and earned a win on Mar. 4 vs. Muskegon. The Rangers’ seventh round pick (184th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft has posted an 11-1-2 record, along with a 1.76 GAA, a .929 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 14 appearances. In addition, Huska has posted a 20-5-2 record, along with a 1.69 GAA, a .938 SV%, and 4 SO in his last 27 USHL appearances. He leads the USHL in GAA (1.82) and SV% (.933), is tied for second in SO (four), and ranks fourth in wins (20) this season.
Keegan Iverson, RW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) – Iverson recorded two points (one goal, one assist) and posted a plus-one rating on Mar. 4 vs. Tri-City. The Rangers’ third round pick (85th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in the last three contests and 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 48 games with Portland in 2015-16.
Robin Kovacs, RW, AIK (Allsvenskan) – Kovacs tallied two assists during the first three games of the Allsvenskan Finals. The Rangers’ third round pick (62nd overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft recorded an assist in each of AIK’s two wins thus far in the series.
Ryan Mantha, F/D, Niagara IceDogs (OHL) – Mantha notched an assist in two of three games during the week (two assists). The Rangers’ fourth round pick (104th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has recorded four assists/points in the last seven games. Mantha has established an OHL career-high in assists this season (18).
Sergey Zborovskiy, D, Regina Pats (WHL) – Zborovskiy tallied an assist and posted a plus-two rating on Mar. 4 vs. Swift Current. With the assist, the Rangers’ third round pick (79th overall) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft added to his WHL career-high in points (23) and tied his WHL career-high in assists (16). Zborovskiy has notched 12 points (three goals, nine assists) and has posted a plus-12 rating in the last 29 games.
WOLF PACK WEEKLY HEADLINES 3/01-3/09
Pack Return Combs to Greenville
Has Tallied two Goals and four Points in 18 Wolf Pack Games
Mar. 02, 2016
Wolf Pack Come from Behind for Shootout Win
Erase 2-0 and 3-1 Deficits in 4-3 Victory at Bridgeport
Mar. 03, 2016
Five Wolf Pack Alumni on World Cup of Hockey Rosters
Pack Heritage Represented on five Different World Cup Squads
Five former Wolf Pack players were named to World Cup rosters, for five different teams. Those names include: Lauri Korpikoski (Team Finland), Artem Anisimov (Team Russia), J.T. Miller (Team North America), Mats Zuccarello (Team Europe) and Ryan McDonagh of Team USA.
Mar. 04, 2016
Hellberg on Emergency Recall to Rangers
Has Started 20 of last 22 for Wolf Pack
Mar. 06, 2016
Pack can't Make up Ground on Sound Tigers
Bridgeport Wins at XL Center, 3-2
Mar. 07, 2016
Rangers Put in Emergency Recall for Skjei
Has Played in three NHL Games in Rookie Season
Mar. 09, 2016
Hellberg, Skjei Return to Wolf Pack
Had Both been on Emergency Recall to Rangers
UPCOMING GAMES:
Friday, March 11 at the Providence Bruins (Boston) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence, 7:05 PM
Saturday, March 12 vs. the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Flyers) at the XL Center, 3:00 PM
Sunday, March 13 at the Portland Pirates (Florida) at the Cross Insurance Arena, 3:00 PM
Recent Transactions:
Jack Combs – returned by the Wolf Pack to Greenville (ECHL) March 1.
Magnus Hellberg – recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers March 4, returned later in the day and recalled again March 5.
Mackenzie Skapski – reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack from Greenville (ECHL) March 4.
Brady Skjei - recalled from the Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers March 7
Magus Hellberg, Brady Skjei - reassigned by the New York Rangers to the Wolf Pack March 9
RABBIT TRACKS
Greenville Swamp Rabbits Weekly Notes 3/01-3/10
Overall Picture: The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (24-24-7), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, completed a four-game road trip last week with a frustrating three-game series through the North Division. The Swamp Rabbits fell in each of their three games against Wheeling, Toledo and Brampton and dropped five points behind Elmira for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
March 2
Swamp Rabbits Trade Knackstedt To Quad City
March 3
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, today announced the club has acquired rookie goaltender Alain Valiquette (pictured) from the Elmira Jackals in exchange for future considerations. In addition, forward Darian Dziurzynski has been traded to the Missouri Mavericks for a player to be named.
March 4
Mackenzie Skapski Reassigned to AHL Hartford
March 5
Swamp Rabbits Fire on All Cylinders in 6-1 Victory over Atlanta Gladiators
March 6
Rashid, Fleming Score Twice in 4-1 Win in Atlanta
March 8
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced Tuesday Alain Valiquette has been named CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week for Feb. 29 – Mar. 6 after going 2-0-0 in his first two starts with Greenville
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced Tuesday the team has signed rookie winger Kevin King out of the University of Calgary (Dinos)
March 9
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced Wednesday goaltender Mackenzie Skapski has been reassigned to the team from the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers.
March 10
Forward Kevin King has been loaned to the AHL’s Texas Stars.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Thursday, Mar. 10 vs. South Carolina (33-18-7) – 7 p.m.
Friday, Mar. 11 vs. Florida (36-19-2) – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Mar. 12 vs. Florida (36-19-2) – 7 p.m.
Each of the Swamp Rabbits next nine games will take place in the South Division, running all the way through Mar. 26. Greenville will play all four division foes during that span including Atlanta (2x), Florida (4x), South Carolina (2x) and Orlando (1x). The Swamp Rabbits are 17-13-5 against division opponents this season, better than the club was against the division last season when it went 15-18-3 against those four teams through Mar. 8.
