RANGERS PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT CAMP -- DAY 5 SCRIMMAGE
RANGERS PROSPECT DEVELOPMENT CAMP -- DAY 5 SCRIMMAGE
By: Matthew Blittner
Over the past week, we've received a good long look into the future of the New York Rangers.
With the final day of Prospect Development Camp upon us, the future looks tantalizingly bright.
Some prospects have stood out more than others, but not all have dealt with the same level of hype and expectations.
For example: Lias Andersson was picked in the first-round of this year's draft, 7th overall, and that distinction comes with a certain degree of expectancy and fanfare -- as well as what it cost to move up to that slot. On the other hand, a guy like Gabriel Fontaine, who was drafted in the sixth-round of last year's draft, came into camp merely looking to impress the coaching staff and with much lower expectations and fanfare.
Another such player that came in bearing the burden of high expectations, was Filip Chytil. Chytil was the Rangers' second first-round pick this year, (21st overall), and along with Andersson, is expected to develop quickly and become a key cog in the Blueshirts' push for a Cup within the next couple seasons.
My initial take on Chytil, upon seeing him for the first time on Day One, was underwhelming to say the least. He wasn't a smooth skater, and his overall movements were lacking. Thankfully that proved to just be rust. On that first day, Chytil said to me,"I'm really happy here in New York. It's a good experience. It's an amazing feeling. I will do anything to play here. It's a new beginning. I don't care where I play next season, but I will do whatever it takes to play for the New York Rangers."
In the first couple of scrimmages, Chytil delightedly proved that my initial impression was wrong as he tallied two goals and two assists in his first game, and has been on a tear since.
Andersson, admitted to me, "It was tough for the first day. It's a dream come true to be able to come here and play for this organization. I haven't been on ice for a couple of months so getting the rust off and getting my legs back are key. It's not like Swedish game as it's a faster game over here on the smaller rink. I don't know if I'm going to play in Sweden or over here next year so I'm going to talk to the Rangers and see what they want, they have a good plan for me. I want to make the team this year, that's my goal."
Of course, that didn't dampen my first impression of him, as his moves were electric and refined, no matter how rusty he claimed to be. And in the scrimmages to follow, he was a machine, alternating scoring goals and dishing out assists.
A couple of other prospects to catch my eye: Gabriel Fontaine, who had me seriously questioning why he was only a sixth-round selection, and is turning pro this season; Ty Ronning, who is attempting to make the jump from the WHL's Vancouver Giants to the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack; and Sean Day, who in my mind, is no doubt ready for the NHL after his Memorial Cup victory last season. It is obvious to anybody who has seen him play, that his game took a major leap forward last year with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.
In fact, Day had this to say, "From last year to this summer, my conditioning and offense and defense are light and day ahead of where they were."
The scrimmage on their final day of camp would feature Team Ortmeyer (Blue) versus Team McCambridge (White).
Among the members of Team Ortmeyer were, Andersson, Fontaine, Brandon Crawley (4th round pick in this year's darft), and John Gilmour (who spent last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack).
Team McCambridge, featured a roster that included: Chytil, Ronning, Morgan Barron (6th round pick in this year's draft), Day, and Calle Sjalin (5th round pick in this year's draft).
The teams would play five-on-five for two 25 minute periods.)
Who would come out on top?
An early mistake by White netminder Adam Huska -- he attempted to play the puck on the side of his net, but fell down -- led to Patrik Virta (7th round pick this year) to coral the loose puck and put it in the empty net for a quick 1-0 Blue lead.
Just moments later, a Blue team rush resulted in Huska being screened and giving up a loose rebound in front that Pavel Poryadin stuffed in for the 2-0 lead.
Almost 10 full minutes into the first period, Blue was jumping and White was on their heels.
To this point, Blue goalie, Aleksandar Georgiev had yet to be tested.
Lias Andersson was then called for hooking and was sent to the box, causing the rare prospect camp power play.
Blue successfully killed off the penalty with little effort.
In the final minute of play of the opening frame, Fontaine showed yet again that he should be taken seriously, as he deked, dazzled, swiveled, and swirled around defenders without ever losing the puck, and after holding onto the puck for a good 30 seconds he passed it beautifully to an on-rushing Adrian Carbonara, who had his shot saved by Huska.
The period came to a close with Blue leading 2-0, thanks to a dominating effort.
The second period started as a hard-hitting affair and with a goalie switch.
Blue brought in Tyler Wall (6th round 2016), while White brought in Chris Nell (free agent signing on 3/23/17).
White quickly tied it up with two goals from Ty Ronning just minutes apart.
Easy come easy go as Ronning was then called for a tripping penalty and went to the box.
Just like Blue before them, White killed off the penalty without much fuss.
White then jumped ahead 3-2 curtesy of a goal from the point by Luc Smith.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in play, Sean Day was called for tripping Lias Andersson and went to the box for his timeout.
With just over 14 minutes gone by in the period, White took a 4-2 lead thanks to a goal by wonder kid Filip Chytil, who successfully converted on his breakaway.
Blue would come right back with a goal to make it 4-3, curtesy of Patrik Virta.
Now playing 3-on-3, Blue tied it thanks to a shot from Walker Duehr, an invitee from Bloomington of the USHL.
Tim gettinger then completed the comeback with the buzzer-beater goal for the 5-4 Blue win.
Well, that was an exciting way to end camp.
My initial take on Chytil, upon seeing him for the first time on Day One, was underwhelming to say the least. He wasn't a smooth skater, and his overall movements were lacking. Thankfully that proved to just be rust. On that first day, Chytil said to me,"I'm really happy here in New York. It's a good experience. It's an amazing feeling. I will do anything to play here. It's a new beginning. I don't care where I play next season, but I will do whatever it takes to play for the New York Rangers."
In the first couple of scrimmages, Chytil delightedly proved that my initial impression was wrong as he tallied two goals and two assists in his first game, and has been on a tear since.
Andersson, admitted to me, "It was tough for the first day. It's a dream come true to be able to come here and play for this organization. I haven't been on ice for a couple of months so getting the rust off and getting my legs back are key. It's not like Swedish game as it's a faster game over here on the smaller rink. I don't know if I'm going to play in Sweden or over here next year so I'm going to talk to the Rangers and see what they want, they have a good plan for me. I want to make the team this year, that's my goal."
Of course, that didn't dampen my first impression of him, as his moves were electric and refined, no matter how rusty he claimed to be. And in the scrimmages to follow, he was a machine, alternating scoring goals and dishing out assists.
A couple of other prospects to catch my eye: Gabriel Fontaine, who had me seriously questioning why he was only a sixth-round selection, and is turning pro this season; Ty Ronning, who is attempting to make the jump from the WHL's Vancouver Giants to the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack; and Sean Day, who in my mind, is no doubt ready for the NHL after his Memorial Cup victory last season. It is obvious to anybody who has seen him play, that his game took a major leap forward last year with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.
In fact, Day had this to say, "From last year to this summer, my conditioning and offense and defense are light and day ahead of where they were."
The scrimmage on their final day of camp would feature Team Ortmeyer (Blue) versus Team McCambridge (White).
Among the members of Team Ortmeyer were, Andersson, Fontaine, Brandon Crawley (4th round pick in this year's darft), and John Gilmour (who spent last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack).
Team McCambridge, featured a roster that included: Chytil, Ronning, Morgan Barron (6th round pick in this year's draft), Day, and Calle Sjalin (5th round pick in this year's draft).
The teams would play five-on-five for two 25 minute periods.)
Who would come out on top?
An early mistake by White netminder Adam Huska -- he attempted to play the puck on the side of his net, but fell down -- led to Patrik Virta (7th round pick this year) to coral the loose puck and put it in the empty net for a quick 1-0 Blue lead.
Just moments later, a Blue team rush resulted in Huska being screened and giving up a loose rebound in front that Pavel Poryadin stuffed in for the 2-0 lead.
Almost 10 full minutes into the first period, Blue was jumping and White was on their heels.
To this point, Blue goalie, Aleksandar Georgiev had yet to be tested.
Lias Andersson was then called for hooking and was sent to the box, causing the rare prospect camp power play.
Blue successfully killed off the penalty with little effort.
In the final minute of play of the opening frame, Fontaine showed yet again that he should be taken seriously, as he deked, dazzled, swiveled, and swirled around defenders without ever losing the puck, and after holding onto the puck for a good 30 seconds he passed it beautifully to an on-rushing Adrian Carbonara, who had his shot saved by Huska.
The period came to a close with Blue leading 2-0, thanks to a dominating effort.
The second period started as a hard-hitting affair and with a goalie switch.
Blue brought in Tyler Wall (6th round 2016), while White brought in Chris Nell (free agent signing on 3/23/17).
White quickly tied it up with two goals from Ty Ronning just minutes apart.
Easy come easy go as Ronning was then called for a tripping penalty and went to the box.
Just like Blue before them, White killed off the penalty without much fuss.
White then jumped ahead 3-2 curtesy of a goal from the point by Luc Smith.
With just over 10 minutes remaining in play, Sean Day was called for tripping Lias Andersson and went to the box for his timeout.
With just over 14 minutes gone by in the period, White took a 4-2 lead thanks to a goal by wonder kid Filip Chytil, who successfully converted on his breakaway.
Blue would come right back with a goal to make it 4-3, curtesy of Patrik Virta.
Now playing 3-on-3, Blue tied it thanks to a shot from Walker Duehr, an invitee from Bloomington of the USHL.
Tim gettinger then completed the comeback with the buzzer-beater goal for the 5-4 Blue win.
Well, that was an exciting way to end camp.
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