New York Rangers prospect report highlights another productive week

Updated:

The New York Rangers have released their prospect report for January 25, 2021. In this edition, the future continues to look bright after another productive week.

Below are excerpts from the official report provided to the media via the New York Rangers.

New York Rangers Prospects: Zac Jones highlights North American kids

ZACHARY JONES (D – 20 y/o, 3rd Rd 2019 Draft)

Season Stats – 17 GP, 5-10-15, +3, 4 PIM

  • Tallied the game-deciding goal in the fifth round of the shootout on Jan. 23 against Providence College (was the only goal in the shootout); notched an assist and recorded four shots on goal on Jan. 18 against Boston University 
  • Has tallied a point in eight of the last 10 games (3-9-12)
  • Has notched at least one point in 11 of 17 games this season; UMass has posted a 7-3-1 record in those 11 contests

“Being drafted was a great experience. I spoke to the Rangers once and didn’t think they were going to pick me,” Jones recalled. “I was at the draft with my parents, my advisor and my high school coach. It was awesome. I initially didn’t want to go but I am happy I changed my mind.”

Forever Blueshirts

BRETT BERARD (C – 18 y/o, 5th Rd 2020 Draft)

Season Stats – 8 GP, 1-2-3, -3, 4 PIM

  • Registered the game-deciding goal in the fourth round of the shootout on Jan. 22 against UMass (was the only goal scored in regulation, overtime, or the shootout)
  • Tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating on Jan. 23 against UMass
  • Has recorded a point in three of six games with Providence College following his return to the team after winning a gold medal with the United States at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship (1-2-3, +2, 13 SOG in the six games)

HUNTER SKINNER (D – 19 y/o, 4th Rd 2019 Draft)

Season Stats – 2 GP, 0-3-3, +1, 0 PIM

  • Signed with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies during the past week; his junior team (London Knights – OHL) has not played yet in 2020-21
  • Tallied two assists and posted a plus-two rating in his ECHL/professional debut on Jan. 22 against Rapid City
  • Notched an assist on Jan. 23 against Rapid City

“One of the hardest was at age 16 going into Muskegon, being doubted and always being told I will never have a chance of going anywhere and at a young age it’s hard to overcome that, but I used that to build up my mental state and maturity.”

Forever Blueshirts

Vitali Kravtsov and Nils Lundkvist remain top prospects

new york rangers prospect report
Kravtsov scores a beauty (Traktor/KHL)

VITALI KRAVTSOV (RW – 21 y/o, 1st Rd 9th overall 2018 Draft)

Season Stats – 41 GP, 13-7-20, +5, 12 PIM

  • Tallied an assist on Jan. 19 against Avangard
  • Has recorded a point in five of the last nine games (3-2-5) and in seven of the last 12 contests (4-3-7)
  • Leads Traktor in goals and even strength goals (10), and ranks fourth in shots on goal (108) despite missing seven games this season
  • Among KHL players who are in their U22 season or younger in 2020-21, is tied for first in goals and ranks fourth in points
https://twitter.com/aj_ranger/status/1351552365237841922?s=20

NILS LUNDKVIST (D – 20 y/o, 1st Rd 28th overall 2018 Draft)

Season Stats – 34 GP, 9-12-21, +4, 14 PIM

  • Logged at least 21:00 of ice time in each of the three games he played during the past week, including a single-game season-high 25:10 of ice time on Jan. 23 against Rogle
  • Has tallied a point in six of the last 10 games (4-3-7), in nine of the last 14 games (4-6-10), in 11 of the last 17 games (4-8-12), and in 14 of the last 22 games (7-10-17)
  • Is tied for first among SHL defensemen in goals and is tied for 10th among SHL defensemen in points this season

KARL HENRIKSSON (C – 19 y/o, 2nd Rd 2019 Draft)

Season Stats – 32 GP, 0-6-6, -1, 16 PIM

  • Tallied an assist on Jan. 21 against Leksands
  • Is one of only seven junior (U20) players in the SHL (and one of only four junior forwards) who have registered at least six assists this season
  • Is one of only 11 junior (U20) players in the SHL (and one of only seven junior forwards) who have tallied at least six points in 2020-21
  • His 13:26 average ice time per game is the fourth-highest by a junior forward in the SHL this season (trailing William Eklund, Alexander Holtz, and Lucas Raymond)

LAURI PAJUNIEMI (RW – 21 y/o, 5th Rd 2018 Draft)

Season Stats – 18 GP, 6-7-13, +5, 8 PIM

  • Recorded an assist/point in each of the three games he played during the past week (0-3-3)
  • Extended his point streak to 11 games (5-6-11), which is a Liiga career-high
  • Since the start of last season, has recorded 53 points (32 goals, 21 assists) in 67 games in Liiga; is tied for second in the league in goals over the span

Editor’s Note: Thank you to the NYR for compiling this great info.

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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