Per Bruce Berlet of of Howlings, forward Jeremy Williams has signed with the EC Salzburg Red Bulls of the Austrian Elite League. The 27 year old played one year with the Rangers organization, playing one game with the Rangers (no points) and 75 games with the CT Whale. Williams led the team with 32 goals, and was second on the team (to Kris Newbury) with 55 points. He also netted a goal and two assists in the Whale’s first round exit from the Calder Cup Playoffs.
In eight professional seasons, Williams has played just 32 games in the NHL.
When the season began the expectations for Michael Del Zotto coming off an excellent offensive rookie season were very high. The plan was for him to remain a top four defenseman for the club, and be the power play quarterback, but that plan has failed for this season. It has been a tumultuous sophomore season in which he struggled with his play on the ice and then his confidence. Things got to the point where the Rangers sent him down in early January to work on his game and while he was better when he came back, he was still not where he needs to be. With the Rangers trading for Byran McCabe over the weekend they decided to send Del Zotto down to Connecticut to work on his game and get plenty of ice time. It appears that plan might be out the window now as well.
Per Mitch Beck at Howlings Del Zotto was slashed on the wrist during tonight’s game and did not return to action. After the game he was wearing a splint and had the hand wrapped. The hand/wrist will be evaluated by a hand specialist today so there should be more information available at that point. Hopefully it will be good news and there is just bruising, but always have to be prepared for more costly news.
Also injured in the game was Jeremy Williams who was hit into the boards during the first period and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher. Also via Howlings, the initial reports on Williams are good and he was said to be joking with teammates.
Wishing the best to both players as the Rangers injury curse for 2010-11 just continues to spread.
After a quick one game stint with the Rangers, Jeremy Williams is headed back to Hartford. In his Rangers debut last night, Williams played just 3:43, and finished with no points and with an even rating. Williams was recalled initially when Brandon Prust was high-sticked in the eye by Gregory Campbell of the Boston Bruins. Prust was cleared to play, and Williams eventually played in lieu of Todd White last night against the Devils. His call up does answer the question of “who will be the first person called up due to injuries this year?” Williams is still the leading scorer on the Whale this season.
To replace Brandon Prust, who took a high stick to the eye last night, in the lineup tonight, the Rangers have recalled RW Jeremy Williams from the Connecticut Whale. Williams is the teams leading goal scorer with four goals in eight games, and has had an impressive season thus far in the AHL, with a line of 4-2-6. Williams will likely slide directly in Prust’s spot in the lineup, on a line with Alex Frolov and Erik Christensen.
Williams was recalled because Dale Weise is injured.
The Rangers have come to terms with forward Jeremy Williams, of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Williams, 26, spent last year in the AHL, and has bounced around between the NHL and the AHL throughout his career. In his 31 NHL games, Williams has a line of 9-2-11 with 6 PIMS. The 5’11 188 lb winger, who was selected in the 7th round (#220 overall) of the 2003 draft by the Leafs, is probably going to serve as a depth winger in Hartford.
