Jacob Trouba
Jack Dempsey/AP Photo

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba feels his defensive game is what’ll help his new team the greatest. 

Following the second day of practice at the team’s training facility, New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba spoke like the six-year veteran the team was looking for when they traded for him this past summer.

“I wouldn’t label myself as an offensive guy, I play what I think is the right way to play defense, the proper way. I don’t try to sacrifice any defense for offense I’m a defenseman first and take a lot of pride in my own zone,” Trouba said, via the Rangers official Twitter on Sunday afternoon.

Trouba feels the offensive side will take care of itself. He has recorded 42 goals with 137 assists in 408 NHL games.

The defenseman is penciled in to be paired with long-time friend Brady Skjei when the team plays their first preseason game on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils.

“Every day I get a little more comfortable, get to know some more people. Just being around people, being around the team, you get settled a little bit more every day.”

The 25-year-old plays an aggressive game in his own end, recording 117 hits last season while playing for the Winnipeg jets. He hopes to bring his style of game to a Rangers team that is looking for a leader on the blue line that gave up 267 goals against last season.

“I like to play hockey the hard fashion” That hard fashion was evident in the team’s first day of practice when he took rookie Kaapo Kakko hard into the boards. It was a clean check that head coach David Quinn had no issues with calling it a good hockey play.

Trouba is joining a Rangers team that has had its blue line struggle over the past three seasons. His addition to the team should help in all aspects of the ice, especially keeping the shots against down which will benefit Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev.

First, Trouba will have to learn and adjust to a new system, something he acknowledges will take time as he learns what his new coaching staff is implementing in this system.

Once he is on the ice in game situations he will get the opportunity to display the toughness and hockey skill that will lead to the leadership qualities he has shown at practice.

This team should be able to transition defense to offense with the defenseman willingness to protect his own end.

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A graduate of St. John's University class of '91. I have been a fan of the New York Rangers since the days of Peter Puck. Founder of Ranger Proud, the Facebook page that covers all news, notes, pre /post-game stats, and player quotes. I can be reached at [email protected]