New York Rangers News: Rangers Recall Tim Erixon
The New York Rangers have announced they have recalled Tim Erixon from the Connecticut Whale.
It remains to be seen where Erixon will fit into the equation, and it should be noted he is coming off an injury down in Connecticut. Still, the young defenseman has a goal and 11 assists for 12 points in 13 games. He's been impressive down in the AHL, and the Rangers' brass obviously saw something they wanted to change with the big club, and Erixon was the answer.
I don't see why Erixon won't play against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, if he wasn't going to play then it wouldn't make sense to call him up right now. If, however, Erixon was called up to simply be a precaution then he could be sent back down in time for the Whale's next game (against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers) on Friday. But John Tortorella has admitted to not being a fan of having spare parts hang around, so I do expect Erixon to see some time.
Thoughts on all this guys?
Rangers official press release after the jump.
NEW YORK RANGERS TRANSACTION UPDATE
Tim Erixon Recalled from Connecticut
New York, December 14, 2011 - New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that defenseman Tim Erixon has been recalled from the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Erixon, 20, has registered one goal and 11 assists for 12 points, along with 10 penalty minutes in 13 games with Connecticut this season. He currently has a three-game assist streak, tallying four assists during the stretch which began with a two-assist effort on Friday vs. Hershey. Erixon leads all Whale defensemen and is tied for sixth on the team in scoring with 12 points, and ranks second on Connecticut overall in average points per game (0.92) and is tied for third in assists (11). He registered seven points in a five-game span (one goal and six assists), beginning with his first career AHL goal on November 12 at St. John's and culminating with a career-high, three assists on November 23 vs. Portland. Erixon tallied an assist while making his AHL debut on November 2 at Bridgeport.
The Port Chester, New York native began the season on the Rangers opening night roster, and skated in nine games with the Blueshirts before being assigned to Connecticut on October 29. Erixon posted a plus or even rating in six of his nine contests. He made his NHL debut on October 7 against Los Angeles in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Premiere.
Erixon was acquired by the Rangers along with a fifth round selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (Shane McColgan) from Calgary, in exchange for Roman Horak and two second round picks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (Markus Granlund, Tyler Wotherspoon) on June 1, 2011. He was originally selected by the Flames in the first round, 23rd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.