Report: Rangers Sign Penn State Defenseman Vince Pedrie

Per our friends at Black Shoe Diaries (SB Nation’s Penn State blog), sophomore defenseman Vince Pedrie has signed with the New York Rangers:

BREAKING: Per his Facebook account, Penn State Hockey sophomore defenseman Vince Pedrie to forgo last two seasons to sign with @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/h6aOq2b4a2

— Black Shoe Diaries (@BSDtweet) March 28, 2017

While he’s only a sophomore, Pedrie is actually 23-years-old having spent four seasons in the USHL. As a freshman, he notched 22 points in 32 games. This year he had 30 points in 39 games, showing some growth. Obviously nothing to scoff at for a defenseman, but his age is worth noting.

The Rangers continue to do wonders at the NCAA level, locking down Pedrie just 24 hours after landing Minnesota standout forward Vinni Lettieri.

Pedrie was named to the B1G Hockey All-Tournament team and I’m assuming he’s going to join Hartford this year. A quick scouting report from Mark Fischer who does work for Penn State on the hockey side of things:

I like it for NYR-- young puck moving defenseman, with good offensive instinct. Interested to see how game translates to next level. https://t.co/4tNTtJslBx

— Mark Fischer (@nhlfisch21) March 28, 2017

The Rangers need all the prospect help they can get at this point. Both Pedrie and Lettieri should help bolster the team’s AHL group, although expecting either to make an instant NHL impact wouldn’t be the best thing in the world. Remember, there’s a difference between drafted and unsigned NCAA free agents (like Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey) than guys like Lettieri and Pedrie. Not a knock on either of those two guys, but generally the former group have a much bigger impact long-term.

Still, this is good work by Jeff Gorton, bringing in prospects without spending draft picks or assets.

Thoughts?