Goaltending is the final position that I have to cover on my New York Rangers prospect preview, and you can checkout all of my previous previews here, here, here, and here (in order that is defense, left-wing, right-wing, and centers).
1. Scott Stajcer: The Rangers' prospect pool does not consist of many goaltenders, but of the few, 20-year-old Scott Stajcer is the best. Stajcer was selected by the Rangers in the fifth-round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and he has played as a member of the Owen Sound Attack (OHL) for the last four seasons. Stajcer spent his first season with Owen Sound (2007-08, age 16) as the back-up goaltender, and he played in only six games. In his second season (08'-09', age 17) he split the season with goaltender Tyler Beskorowany, and his games played increased to 35. In his third season with the Attack', he finally became the starter. In 55 appearances, Stajcer finished with a record of 21-23-6, with a 3.67 GAA, and a .897 SVPC. Stajcer was supposed to be Owen Sound's starting netminder last season, but injuries forced him to miss the majority of the season, and he finished with only 14 games played. He recorded 10 wins and only three losses, with a 2.91 GAA and a .901 SVPC. His impressive playoff performance, which ultimately led the Attack' to an OHL Championship and a Memorial Cup appearance, allowed the Rangers' to reward him with an entry-level contract. Though Stajcer likely won't become a franchise-goaltender for the Rangers, sometime down the line he can become a quality starting goaltender. Stajcer did not have a very impressive prospect camp at the end of June, but he will be attending the Rangers main camp and preseason, and at age 20 he is eligible to play in the AHL with the Connecticut Whale, or the ECHL with the Greeneville Road Warriors; which is the likely scenario. It will be interesting to see how Stajcer performs following four seasons of junior play.
2.Jason Missiaen: Not familiar with the name Jason Missiaen? You're probably not alone. Following his 2010-11 season with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL), Missiaen, 21, was signed to an entry-level contract by the Rangers, and immediately assigned to the Whale' where he practiced with a professional team, and become a back-up goaltender. Missiaen was drafted in the fourth-round of the 2008 draft by the Montreal Canadiens, and he spent four seasons goaltending for the Peterborough Pete's (OHL) before signing a one-year deal with Baie-Comeau for his overage season. His best junior season was his final year with Peterborough, in which Missiean posted a 27-29-3 record, with a 3.68 GAA and a .901 SVPC. Last season, Missiaen finished with a record of 10-33-8, a 3.33 GAA and a .893 SVPC. Missiaen's greatest strength is his size, as the 6-foot-8, 220-pound behemoth finds it easy to stop high-shots. Missiaen is expected to attend the Rangers main camp and preseason, but he will likely spend the season in the AHL or ECHL. The Rangers goaltending coach, Benoit Allaire, is a fan of Missiaen, and the two are expected to work together a lot during training camp. He is another prospect that I am personally interested in seeing play.
Twitter: @NickPerriNYR
Email: nickpnyrwriter@gmail.com
NOTE: I will be on vacation for a week beginning on Saturday, but I will attempt to have one or two posts up mid-week. Send in any email questions that you might have about the Rangers, Whale, NHL prospects, etc., and I will answer them in a mailbag piece when I return from "The Shore".
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