Prospect Watch – 11/7/09

In the past, we have written some prospect profiles about some of the Ranger prospects that have some great potential. These profiles have included current Rangers Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy, and highly touted prospects Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan. In continuing with this trend, we are going to start a weekly post called Prospect Watch, which will keep track of the current Ranger prospects across the Canadian Juniors, NCAA, and AHL. This may turn into a daily post, but considering it involves tracking 10 separate teams, weekly may have to suffice.

We first start with the Canadian Juniors:

• Ethan Werek; Kingston Frontenacs, OHL: 14 GP, 8G, 7A, 18 PIM, +1
• Chris Doyle; PEI Rocket, QMJHL: 16 GP, 8G, 8A, 25 PIM, -1
• Ryan Bourque; Quebec Remparts, QMJHL: 16 GP, 6G, 9A, 19 PIM, +5
• Roman Horak; Chilliwack Bruins, WHL: 18 GP, 5G, 11A, 14 PIM, +9
• Sam Klassen; Saskatoon Blades, WHL: 15 GP, 3G, 8A, 24 PIM, +17
• Tomas Kundratek; Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL: 12 GP, 0G, 9A, 9 PIM, +1

Ethan Werek (2nd round, 2009) is averaging more than a goal a game, and is quickly rising up the ranks of the Ranger prospects. Ryan Bourque (3rd round, 2009) is continuing his torrid pace, and is continuing to prove his doubters wrong. The one prospect on this list that may surprise is Sam Klassen (undrafted free agent), who is a +17, and playing strong defensive hockey.

NCAA:

• Ryan McDonagh; Wisconsin: 6 GP, 0G, 4A, 25 PIM, +2
• Derek Stepan; Wisconsin:6 GP, 3G, 2A, 4 PIM, +3
• Chris Kreider; Boston College: 4 GP, 0G, 2A, 2 PIM, Even
• Carl Hagelin; Michigan: 6 GP, 3G, 3A, 2 PIM, +1

Ryan McDonagh, acquired from Montreal in the Scott Gomez trade, isn’t an offensive defenseman, so don’t expect big points from him. He plays a solid defensive and physical game.

Derek Stepan (2nd round, 2008) is a sophomore playing on Wisconsin’s top line. He is already building upon a solid freshman year, and is lightning fast. He will be a Ranger sooner or later.

AHL:

• Bobby Sanguinetti: 13 GP, 4G, 11A, 2 PIM, +1
• Evgeny Grachev: 13 GP, 4G, 6A, 2 PIM, -2
• Ilkka Heikkenin: 13 GP, 3G, 8A, 0 PIM, +2
• Chad Johnson: 5-3-0-1, 2.87 GAA, .897 SV%