New York Rangers Prospects: Previewing The New York Rangers At The Traverse City Tournament
Well, its September, and that means that hockey is right around the corner. Starting things off in Rangerland is the Traverse City Tournament held in Traverse City, Michigan. For those who don't know; the Traverse City Prospect Tournament is an 8 team tournament (Detroit, Buffalo, Carolina, St. Louis, Minnesota, Columbus and Dallas round out the teams) that showcases the best prospects that the teams have in their systems. The tournament is a good chance for the organization, players and fans to get ready for the opening of training camps and preseason.
The tournament has always been a big development step for the Rangers; looking through the NHL roster, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan and Artem Anisimov all participated in the tournament for the Rangers as did Marc Staal. Traverse is the place for young Rangers prospects to make a big impression on everyone watching and gives them a good taste at what the competition level they are up against both in the organization and against other teams in the league
After the jump I'll look at the Rangers roster for the TCT and who we should look to make an impression during the tournament.
FORWARDS
Ryan Bourque LW 5.09 164 NYR-09 (3-80) Quebec (QMJHL)
Tommy Grant LW 6.02 195 _ Alaska (WCHA)
Carl Hagelin LW 5.11 176 NYR-07 (6-168) Michigan (CCHA)
Jordan Hickmott * C 6.00 181 — Edmonton (WHL)
Tayler Jordan * LW 6.06 195 — Portland (WHL)
Kale Kerbashian * C 5.11 165 — Sarnia (OHL)
Shane McColgan RW 5.11 170 NYR-11 (5-134) Kelowna(WHL)
Randy McNaught RW 6.05 221 NYR-10 (7-190) Vancouver (WHL)
J.T. Miller RW 6.01 190 NYR-11 (1-15) US Natl Dev Team (USHL)
Michael St. Croix C 5.11 179 NYR-11 (4-106) Edmonton (WHL)
Christian Thomas RW 5.09 165 NYR-10 (2-40) Oshawa (OHL)
Jason Wilson LW 6.02 205 NYR-10 (5-130) Niagara (OHL)
Andrew Yogan C 6.03 202 NYR-10 (4-100) Erie (OHL)
Collin Bowman * D 6.02 200 — Moose Jaw (WHL)
Peter Ceresnak D 6.03 209 NYR-11 (6-172) Trencin Jr. (SLVK-Jr.)
Tim Erixon D 6.02 190 CAL-09 (1-23) Skelleftea (SEL)
Dylan McIlrath D 6.05 215 NYR-10 (1-10) Moose Jaw (WHL)
Samuel Noreau D 6.04 210 NYR-11 (5-136) Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
Blake Parlett D 6.01 205 — Greenville (ECHL)
Jason Missiaen G 6.08 220 MON-08 (4-116) Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
Scott Stajcer G 6.03 195 NYR-09 (5-140) Owen Sound (OHL)
Aside from the big names like Christian Thomas, Tim Erixon, and Carl Hagelin I'm interested in seeing how our newer draft picks look such as J.T. Miller and Shane McColgan perform in their first Traverse City tournament leading into their first training camp and preseason.
All the fun starts next Saturday and it will be televised on MSG. What are your thoughts on the roster? Who do you have your eye on to make an impact in the preseason and training camps?