It’s the first time since 2006 that no North American team will play for a medal at the Winter Games.

U.S. loses to Slovakia

Slovakia stunned top-seeded Team USA, 3-2, in a shootout and Sweden eliminated Canada, 2-0, in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

In the shootout, the Americans went 0-for-5 and Peter Cehlarik scored the lone goal on Slovakia’s fourth attempt.

The U.S. hasn’t won a medal since a silver at Vancouver in 2010 and hasn’t claimed gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” squad.

“We needed to do a better job at that,” US captain Andy Miele said. “We could have definitely put our foot down on them but they killed (all three power plays) well and we didn’t capitalize when we needed to.”

Canada ousted by Sweden

Lucas Wallmark scored in the third period and Anton Lander added an empty-netter for Sweden, which got 24 saves from Lars Johansson.

“I don’t know if it’s the biggest goal I’ve ever scored,” said Wallmark. “It’s up there, but hopefully I can score some bigger ones in future.”

Sweden will face the Russian Olympic Committee and Slovakia will meet Finland in the semifinals.

The medals leaders:

Norway: 28 (13 gold, 7 silver, 8 bronze)
Russian Olympic Committee: 24 (4 gold, 8 silver, 12 bronze)
Germany: 20 (10 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze)
United States: 19 (8 gold, 7 silver, 4 bronze)
Canada: 18 (3 gold, 4 silver, 11 bronze)
Austria: 17 (6 gold, 7 silver, 4 bronze)
Italy: 15 (2 gold, 7 silver, 6 bronze)
Sweden: 14 (6 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze)
Netherlands: 14 (6 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze)
Japan: 14 (2 gold, 5 silver, 7 bronze)

–Field Level Media

Mike Sullivan, who was initially named the head coach for Team USA will remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, one of his assistants and former New York Rangers head coach, David Quinn will now be in charge.

Along with Quinn, another former Blueshirt will take over as GM for Bill Guerin, as he returns to the Minnesota Wild.

John Vanbiesbrouck, who has been the assistant executive director of hockey operations at USA Hockey since June of 2018 will assume the role.

David Quinn named Team USA coach

“John and David have been involved in our 2022 Olympic process and are well-positioned to transition into their new roles,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey in a statement. “With the NHL deciding not to participate in the Olympics, we’re fortunate to have the significant experience they bring in helping form and guide our men’s Olympic team.”

Now that NHL players are ineligible, the U.S. hockey team is expected to be comprised of players from all professional leagues, including the AHL and NCAA.

Quinn, 55, made his mark in the NCAA as Boston University’s head coach from 2013-14 to 2017-18. During his time there he compiled a record of 100-59-20. In addition, he won two Hockey East tournament titles, a Beanpot championship and a NCAA national championship game berth. 

Quinn finished his Rangers tenure with a record of 96-87-25 and a .522 winning percentage in three seasons.

Vanbiesbrouck, 58, played 11 of his 20 pro seasons with the Rangers. He broke into the NHL with the franchise in the 1981-82 season playing only one game. It was his amazing playoff performance as a 22 year-old during the 1985-86 season that made him a fan favorite at the Garden. “Beezer” as he was known, registered a 200-177-47 record with the Blueshirts.

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The NHL said the decision against participating is based on the league’s regular-season schedule “having been materially disrupted as a result of increasing COVID cases and a rising number of postponed games.”

NHL officially opts out

“The National Hockey League respects and admires the desire of NHL Players to represent their countries and participate in a ‘best on best’ tournament. Accordingly, we have waited as long as possible to make this decision while exploring every available option to enable our Players to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Unfortunately, given the profound disruption to the NHL’s regular-season schedule caused by recent COVID-related events — 50 games already have been postponed through Dec. 23 — Olympic participation is no longer feasible.

“We certainly acknowledge and appreciate the efforts made by the International Olympic Committee, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the Beijing Organizing Committee to host NHL Players but current circumstances have made it impossible for us to proceed despite everyone’s best efforts. We look forward to Olympic participation in 2026.”

The NHL had until Jan. 10 to opt out of Olympic participation without financial penalty.

NHL players at 2026 Olympics

“Our focus and goal have been and must remain to responsibly and safely complete the entirety of the NHL regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs in a timely manner. Therefore, with stringent health protocols once again in place, we will begin utilizing available dates during the Feb. 6-22 window (originally contemplated to accommodate Olympic participation) to reschedule games that have been, or may yet be, postponed,” Bettman said in his statement.

Effective Wednesday, the league will be on pause through Dec. 26, with no games or practices and team facilities closed.

NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said the expectation is for the league’s players to be participants in the 2026 Winter Games.

“Since the CBA extension was reached 17 months ago, NHL players have looked forward with great anticipation to once again participating in the Winter Olympics,” Fehr said. “Until very recently, we seemed to be on a clear path to go to Beijing. COVID-19 has unfortunately intervened, forcing dozens of games to be postponed this month alone. No matter how much we wish it were not the case, we need to utilize the Olympic period to reschedule these games.

“Certainly, the players and hockey fans are quite disappointed. But playing a full 82-game season this year, something the pandemic has prevented us from doing since the 2018-19 season, is very important. We expect that NHL players will return to the Olympics in 2026.”

The NHL’s All-Star Game remains scheduled for Feb. 5.

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–Field Level Media

Article also appears at The Daily Goal Horn

The league was due to have no games from Friday through Sunday for a holiday break, but all games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday will be postponed and team facilities will be closed those days, too, due to COVID-19 outbreaks at multiple teams, ESPN and Sportsnet reported Monday night.

The last three games to be played ahead of the reported early shutdown were the Minnesota Wild at the Dallas Stars on Monday night and two games Tuesday: Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning at Vegas Golden Knights.

NHL pauses for Holiday Break

The league already had officially postponed 44 games due to COVID issues.

The Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators and Toronto Maple Leafs previously had their schedules halted by the league through Sunday. Games involving teams crossing the United States-Canada border also were postponed.

Even if teams return as scheduled next Monday, procedures reportedly will change. According to Sportsnet, a memo sent to teams read, “Upon return from the holiday break to team facilities, no individual in the team’s travelling party shall enter (other than for testing purposes) until they have a negative test result.”

NHL Press Release:

Players will report back to their Clubs on Dec. 26, which shall be used for testing, practice and/or travel only. Upon return from the Holiday Break to team facilities, no individual in the team’s Traveling Party shall enter the facility (other than for testing purposes) until they have a negative test result. Any practice scheduled for Dec. 26 must begin after 2:00 p.m. local time.

Olympic participation over

The major shutdown has prompted the league and the players’ union to reopen discussions regarding the players’ involvement in the 2022 Winter Olympics, scheduled to be held in February at Beijing.

In the last collective bargaining agreement, the players won the right to compete in the Olympics, with the NHL shutting down from Feb. 3-22. However, those plans could be scrapped as the league attempts to make up the games lost to COVID.

In an August news release, the NHL wrote that should its players not take part in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the league will shift to a revised regular-season schedule.

“Sources confirm the February break in the NHL schedule, originally for the Olympics, will now be used to play make up games for all games taken off the board,” reported Andy Strickland.

The recent COVID spike leading to multiple shutdowns and game postponements made going to Beijing and successfully completing an 82 schedule near impossible.

–Field Level Media

Yesterday, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to not pause the season but postponed all cross-border games.

“Due to the concern about cross-border travel and, given the fluid nature of federal travel restrictions, effective on Monday, all games involving a Canadian-based team playing a U.S.-based team from Monday, Dec. 20 through the start of the Holiday break on Dec. 23, will be postponed and rescheduled,” a league statement read.

Rangers postponed

The Blueshirts will practice today at the MSG Training Center at 11AM.

Head coach Gerard Gallant will address the media afterwards, where he will likely provide updates on Artemi Panarin and how the team will approach the long layoff.

The team’s next game is scheduled for 12/27 against the Detroit Red Wings. However, on Sunday the NHL shut them down through Christmas after the team’s COVID-19 outbreak grew to nine players.

At this time the game is expected to be played.

Zac Jones injury

Rangers promising defenseman, Zac Jones is dealing with a lower-body injury that caused him to miss games this weekend with the Hartford Wolf Pack. No injury report was released by the Pack and lead to some speculation that Jones could be a call up with Patrik Nemeth on COVID protocol.

On Sunday, Jones dressed for warmups but did not play.

Jones, 21, was selected by the Blueshirts in the third round (68th overall) during the 2019 NHL Draft. After an excellent college career, he made his Blueshirts debut at the tail end of last season picking up 4 assists in 10 games. This season for the Wolf Pack, he leads all defensemen in scoring with 15 points in 20 games.

He is currently high on the list for possible call-ups on defense.

No Olympics

Still to be determined is whether NHL players will participate in the Winter Olympics in Beijing beginning in February. A statement from the league and the players association said the two sides “are actively discussing the matter … and expect to be in a position to announce a final determination in the coming days.”

The deadline to opt-out is January 10, 2022.

Several top insiders are indicating that the NHL and NHLPA will formally announce they will not be attending in the coming days.

Nothing official yet, but a real sense NHL players aren’t headed to the Olympics. Given all the NHL game postponements this past week, no surprise if that’s the final direction.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 20, 2021

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“In October, I met with Alexei Zhamnov, Ilya Kovalchuk and Sergei Gonchar,” Panarin said. “They informed that you need to play not for yourself, but for your homeland. So that everyone, regardless of their position in the team, does their job one hundred percent. there must be a situation in which an NHL player comes thinking about individual statistics – goals and assists.”

RIA Novosti

Panarin wants to play for Russia

The Rangers top forward came out of the gate a little slower than usual, but has been on a tear of late. In 20 games this season, he has registered 21 points. With 17 points in his last 13 contests, Panarin is heating up.

“Yes, winning the Olympics is the dream of every hockey player,” Panarin said to RIA Novosti. “I don’t want to burn out. I play better when I approach tournaments and matches with a cool head.”

Panarin loves his country and being Russian. Just ask Brad Marchand, who recently found out after making disparaging remarks towards Artemi.

The comments set Panarin off and he tossed his glove at Marchand in a heated exchange. Artemi was fined $5000 for the throw.

“It’s important to to let people know I didn’t start it,” Panarin explained per USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano. “I didn’t say good things about him, too, but I think when you touch country, it’s different. Probably all Russians would want to defend their country.”

Brennan Othmann named OHL Player of the Week

The New York Rangers selected 6-0, 175-pound forward Brennan Othmann 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He had an impressive camp for an 18 year-old and appears to have a bright future. He returned to the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) where he scored 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) last season.

Yesterday, the OHL announced Othmann as Player of the Week. He earned the honor scoring 1 goal and six assists in three games.

In 17 games with the Firebirds, he has 14 goals and 27 points.

He was dishing out assists left and right, and finished it all off with a big one-timer. Brennan Othmann (@BOthmann78) showed off his skills as the #OHL Player of the Week 🎥@FlintFirebirds | @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/0NXf2C72ag

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 29, 2021

In other prospect news, Brett Berard was named Hockey East Player of the week with six points in two games.

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Per Team USA Press Release:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – John Hynes (Warwick, R.I.), David Quinn (Cranston, R.I.), Todd Reirden (Deerfield, Ill.) and Ryan Miller (East Lansing, Mich.) will serve as assistant coaches to head coach Mike Sullivan for the 2022 Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team it was announced today by USA Hockey.

“We’ve got a great coaching staff in place,” said Stan Bowman, general manager of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. “It’s a group that knows what it takes to be successful, and through their unique and varied backgrounds will help put our team in the best position to win the gold medal.”

David Quinn taking part at Olympics

The 54 year-old Quinn coached the Rangers to a 96-87-25 over his three seasons in New York. That’s a career points percentage of .522 which is excellent when you consider for three years his roster was always in a state of flux and growing younger by the season.

He was hired from the college ranks to groom the Blueshirts’ kids and he did that well. He never had the roster pieces on the bottom six to play like the Islanders as he so often hinted at. The Rangers brass wanted to see what they had in a number of prospects and let’s face it, Kaapo Kakko was not going to play like Cal Clutterbuck on the third line. The onus was to win and develop kids even if it meant Julien Gauthier and Vitali Kravtsov had to do so on the 4th line. Not easy.

One industry source that understands the coaching game well explained to me that unlike a player making the transition from NCAA to the NHL, a coach almost has no support. The NHL isn’t a developmental league and that probably goes for coaches more than it does for players.

Quinn also has a relationship with Mike Sullivan so this is a perfect opportunity for him to continue his career.

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The league and the NHL Players’ Association announced a joint agreement Friday with the International Ice Hockey Federation to take a break in the 2021-22 regular-season schedule to accommodate the players’ participation.

This will be the sixth time NHL players have competed in the Winter Games. The first time was at Nagano, Japan, in 1998, and the most recent was at Sochi, Russia, in 2014.

NHL Players will participate in the Olympics

“We understand how passionately NHL Players feel about representing and competing for their countries,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. “We are very pleased that we were able to conclude arrangements that will allow them to resume best on best competition on the Olympic stage.”

The Beijing Games are scheduled to run from Feb. 4-20, 2022.

Friday’s agreement allows for a later decision to withdraw depending on current COVID-19 conditions.

“I know that I can speak for hockey fans around the world when I say that we absolutely welcome the decision to bring back best-on-best ice hockey to the Olympics,” IIHF president Rene Fasel said in a news release. “We had many constructive discussions, and a lot of hard work was put into making this happen within the time we set out for ourselves, and I want to thank all parties involved for their support and commitment.”

It's official! The IIHF, @NHL and @NHLPA have reached an agreement that will allow NHL players to participate in #Beijing2022!

FULL STORY 👉 https://t.co/AvZ5ygy405 pic.twitter.com/Tk3yuHrcpe

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) September 3, 2021

NHL players did not participate in the 2018 competition in PyeongChang, South Korea, meaning the 2022 event could mark the Olympic debuts for current stars like Connor McDavid (Canada), David Pastrnak (Czech Republic), Sebastian Aho (Finland), Nikita Kucherov (Russia), Victor Hedman (Sweden), Leon Draisaitl (Germany), and Auston Matthews (United States).

“Representing their country in the Olympics is important to the players, even in these uncertain times,” said Don Zavelo, NHLPA general counsel. “The players look forward to pulling on their nation’s hockey sweater at the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as they compete for the gold medal.”

–Field Level Media

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

It is that time of year again. The time of year where every Red, White, and Blue blooded American gets together with family, friends, and neighbors and celebrates the Independence of the United States of America by drinking beer, watching baseball, swimming, and shooting off fireworks. While hockey may not be the first thing you associate America with, there is no doubt that some of the greatest moments in American sports history have come from hockey. In celebration of Independence Day, here are my Top Five goals by American Hockey Players, with only a slight bias towards the Rangers.

STEPAN IN OVERTIME

In 2015, the Rangers headed into the playoffs at the top of the league. Fresh off of a President’s Trophy and a first-round victory over the Penguins, the Rangers faced a second-round matchup against the Washington Capitals. However, the Rangers learned quickly that the Capitals would not go easily. The Blueshirts went down 3-1 in the series and trailed 1-0 in the waning moments of game five until a group of Americans led by Chris Kreider decided the Rangers were not going to go down without a fight.  Kreider scored to tie the game, and then provided a lunar eclipse in front of Braden Holtby as Ryan McDonagh (American), off an assist from Derek Stepan (American), blasted a shot home to keep the Rangers alive. 

In game six, the Rangers came out strong with Kreider scoring two first-period goals to give the Rangers a lead they would not give up. In game seven, the Rangers and Capitals went to double overtime tied at one on a goal by Kevin Hayes from JT Miller and Ryan McDonagh, all Americans. In the overtime period, Derek Stepan scored one of, if not the greatest, goals in recent Rangers history.

ZUBOV FEEDS LEETCH, LEETCH SCORES!

In 1994, the New York Rangers won the President’s Trophy and steamrolled through the first two rounds of the playoffs before beating the Devils in an epic seven-game series highlighted by “The Guarantee” and “Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!” The Rangers seemed poised to end their 54-year Stanley Cup drought and took a 3-1 series lead before the Canucks would force a game seven at the Garden. Rangers fans were extremely nervous and for good reason. Year after year the Rangers fell short of the ultimate goal of the Stanley Cup. After seeing the Canucks force a game seven, it seemed like the curse was about to strike again. But early in the first period, Brian Leetch, the eventual Conn Smythe winner, scored the opening goal and the Garden exploded as the Rangers went up 1-0 and did not trail the rest of the way en-route to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

BRETT HULL WINS STANLEY CUP FOR DALLAS

Sorry Sabres’ fans. I’m sure this one will sting until Eichel, Dahlin, and company lead you back to the promised land. In 1999, the Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres met in the Stanley Cup Finals. In a series that featured many future Hall of Famers, two Americans teamed up for one of the most memorable goals in Stanley Cup history. With the Stars leading the series 3-2, game six went to overtime with both teams knotted at one. With 5:10 left in the first overtime period, the Stars cycled the puck around the Sabres zone and threw the puck on net where Mike Modano knocked the puck off of Dominik Hasek and Brett Hull slammed home the rebound to give the Dallas Stars their first Stanley Cup Championship. And although the goal was controversial, there is no arguing the fact that the goal was one of the greatest goals ever scored by an American hockey player.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRoN0-dFetk

LAMOUREUX-DAVIDSON DEKES FOR GOLD

Just this past year, the United States Women’s Hockey Team took home the Gold Medal in the Olympics for the first time in 20 years. While the US women have won on other international stages during those twenty years, the Canadians owned the Olympics, including the 2014 Sochi Olympics where the Canadians beat the Americans in overtime. However, in 2018, the script was flipped. Late in the first period, the Americans opened the scoring on a snipe from the top of the left circle. However, Canada came back quickly and tied it just two minutes into the second period. Five minutes later, Canada took a 2-1 lead and held that lead until late in the third period. With just over six minutes left in regulation, Monique Lamoureux, Jocelyn’s twin sister, scored on a breakaway to tie the game at two. The game stayed tied through overtime and five rounds of the deciding shootout. In round six, Jocelyn Lamoureaux scored one of the nastiest shootout goals you will ever see to give the US the game-winning goal and the gold.

https://youtu.be/dRmZUNO4Y5s?t=1m37s

MIKE ERUZIONE

Was there any doubt this goal would make the list? I don’t believe that there will ever be a greater American hockey goal. Take away all the politics, theatrics, and build up, and you still get one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. Add in the Cold War and the political climate of the time, the 10-3 loss at MSG just before Lake Placid, twenty years of Soviet domination on the ice and Eruzione’s celebration and you get the greatest American hockey goal of all time. There is no debate. 

After winning the Olympic Gold in 1960, the Americans did not win another gold until the Miracle on Ice. In addition, the Soviets won four straight gold medals and had not lost an Olympic hockey game since 1968. The Americans were not supposed to be competitive entering the tournament, and the 10-3 loss at the hands of the Soviets just a few weeks prior confirmed that sentiment. However, Herb Brooks’ college kids did not back down and engineered one of the greatest sports moments in American history. Tied at three in the third period, Mike Eruzione gathered a loose puck at the top of the zone, walked into the high slot and wristed a shot past Vladimir Myshkin giving the Americans a 4-3 lead. As we well know, the Americans closed out the Soviets and went on to beat Finland in the gold medal game, securing their first gold medal in twenty years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX5hiem8YBU]

While hockey may never be as popular as the other three major sports in America, there is no doubt that American hockey has given us some of the greatest sporting moments in our history.

*crickets chirp*

That’s right, the NHL decided not to send their athletes to the Olympic games this year. That’s a bummer, but I’m sure the games will be just as exciting and the rag tag group of players from the AHL, KHL and other international leagues look to chase Olympic gold! What’s interesting within these groups of players is the amount of former Rangers that played on Broadway, but you probably never knew or forgot! Everyone remembers Matt Gilroy (USA) and Wojtek Wolski (CAN) but do you remember some of the names listed below? Lets find out, in this special edition of Lesser Known Rangers – Olympic Edition!

Ivan Baranka, Defenseman, Team Slovakia

Time with Rangers: 1 game with NYR, 174 games with HFD

Ivan Baranka currently plays for HC Vítkovice Ridera in the Czech Extraliga and is currently representing Slovakia in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Before this, Baranka was drafted by the Rangers 50th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft (Note: Shea Weber was drafted 49th that year, Joe Pavelski was selected 205th overall).

Baranka seemed to play most of his time in Hartford. After 3 full seasons, Baranka finally played his first and only game as a Ranger on November 21st, 2007. His only contribution was assisting on Colton Orr’s first goal versus Tampa Bay. After that season, his Rangers career was essentially over and Baranka went overseas.

Tomas Kundratek, Defenseman, Team Czech Republic

Time with Rangers: 70 games for HFD/CT

Tomas Kundratek is currently playing in the KHL for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and is also representing Team Czech Republic in the 2018 Winter Olympic games. Before this, Kundratek spent time with the Washington Capitals and their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

Kundratek was drafted by the Rangers 90th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in hopes of being a depth guy in the near future for the big club. He played in 70 games as a rookie for the newly branded Connecticut Whale, during the 2010–11 season, tallying two goals and ten assists for 12 points, along with 42 penalty minutes. He also played in all six of the Whale’s playoff games versus the Portland Pirates in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, putting up two assists and two penalty minutes.

After suiting up for 7 games with the Whale the following season, he was traded to the Washington Capitals for Francois Bouchard on November 8th, 2011 and just like that, his Rangers career ended.

Chris Bourque, Forward, Team USA

Time with Rangers: 73 games for HFD in 2014-15 along with a few preseason games.

Currently, Chris Bourque, son of Ray, older brother of former Wolf Pack Ryan, is an alternate captain and AHL All Star Forward for the Hershey Bears. A career AHL’er, Bourque has had some cups of coffee in the NHL with New York, Pittsburgh and Washington.

Bourque attempted to stick onto the Rangers roster in 2014 by signing a one year, two way contract. After some preseason action, Bourque was assigned to Hartford where he led the team in scoring with 66 points in 73 games and was selected to the AHL first All-Star team.

The following season, he returned to Hershey where he currently plays to this day. Bourque is representing the United States in this year’s Winter Olympics.

Raphael Diaz, Defenseman, Team Switzerland

Time with Rangers: 11 Games in 2013-14, 4 playoff games during Cup run

I feel like one of the few Ranger fans out there that actually liked Raphael Diaz. There’s something about offensive type defenseman that pique my interest and when Diaz was acquired from Vancouver on March 5th, 2014, I was intrigued. I’m not saying he was the best defenseman out there on the ice, lighting it up, but the guy clearly could shoot the puck. In his first 11 games as a Ranger, he scored only one goal and one assist all while contributing in some form to the Cup run in 2014.

Diaz left New York to Calgary, where he made the team out of camp. The following season, the Rangers re signed Diaz to a one year, two way contract in the summer of 2015 in hopes of being a depth defenseman, but was buried in Hartford and only appeared in one playoff game before going overseas to Switzerland and signing a 5 year contract with EV Zug.

Diaz is currently representing Team Switzerland in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Bobby Sanguinetti, Defenseman, Team USA

Time with Rangers: 5 games with New York Rangers, 3 seasons with Hartford Wolf Pack

The local Trenton product is currently playing in Switzerland for HC Lugano in the National League (Swiss Hockey League). Team USA called upon Sanguinetti to represent Team USA in this year’s Winter Olympics. Sanguinetti has carved out a decent career for himself after leaving North America, first with the KHL and now in Switzerland.

Before all of this, Sanguinetti was regarded as a highly touted prospect for the Rangers. Selected in the first round with the 21st pick, the Rangers selected Sanguinetti in hopes that he would turn out to be a top prospect for the team down the line. After becoming an All-Star in the AHL for Hartford, Sanguinetti was called up to the big club for five games during the 2009-10 season. He appeared in five games, plus/minus rating was even and did not register a point.

That seemed to be it for Sangs, as he was dealt by the Rangers to the Carolina Hurricanes the following offseason. After a few stints in Carolina and bouncing around a few systems in the minors, Sanguinetti headed overseas to where he is today.

Personally, I thought Sanguinetti would pan out as a Ranger, but that just shows how in tuned I am with how scouting players is supposed to work. Yikes.

Viktor Stalberg, Forward, Team Sweden

Time with Rangers: 75 games for New York in 2015-16

I seem to have this fascination with depth players, as Stalberg was one of my favorites during the seemingly forgetful 2015-16 season (Did you know Jayson Megna was a first line winger this season for a few games?). The veteran winger signed on with New York on a one season deal and right away after making the opening night roster, enjoyed quick success. Although he only scored 9 goals that season, Stalberg was in the middle of a lot of nice plays that helped throughout the season.

Then, just like that, he was gone. Stalberg decided to leave New York after the Rangers decided to move on, and signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. He was then dealt to the Ottawa Senators and proved to be a thorn in the side of the Rangers, as he was part of the Ottawa team that defeated the Rangers in last year’s second round playoff series.

Following the season, Stalberg decided to leave the NHL and sign on with the Swiss club EV Zug of the National League for two seasons. He is now representing Sweden in this year’s Winter Olympics.