New York Rangers, Mats Zuccarello
Photo by Bergen Record

The New York Rangers announced their 2015 Traverse City Tournament Roster and it is full of all the prospects you want to see, except one. 

By Steven Cifuentes

The New York Rangers officially announced their roster for the upcoming annual Traverse City Prospects Tournament. While Russian Pavel Buchnevich is not able to attend, due to playing in the KHL, the roster is stacked with all the Rangers prospects you want to see.

The team is lead by defenseman Brady Skjei who many fans want to see take a Rangers opening night roster spot this season. With the Rangers stacked on defense I don’t see that happening unless two or more injuries occur. Skjei is my player to watch this tournament as he is projected to be a top four defenseman and should dominate the competition.

The most anticipated player to watch is goalie Brandon Halverson. Of course the Rangers are set in net for years to come with Henrik Lundqvist, but all reports are this kid has the talent and make up to be the next in line. Halverson took the next step in his progression this season by playing for Team USA in the U20 World Junior Championship. He went a ridiculous 40-5-2 in juniors last season. In the playoffs he did not stop dominating and led his team to the Western Conference Finals. He recently signed a three year entry level deal with the Rangers and is expected to challenge as the heir to The Kings throne.

Out of the 2015 draft choices my player to watch out for is forward Ryan Gropp. Gropp was taken 41st overall by the Rangers after leading his junior team in scoring in 2014. I anticipate Gropp putting himself on the prospect radar after this tournament. Gropp is a 6’2″ tall forward with plus speed and it is anticipated he will be a top six power forward after a few season of grooming in the AHL.

The only negative to the Rangers current Traverse City roster is the lack of signed forwards wearing the Rangers sweater. Due to a lack of draft picks over the last few seasons, the Rangers only have four forwards under contract playing in the tournament.

While all teams have unsigned players on their roster trying to make an impression, it just shows the win now mentality has left the Rangers forward prospect pool very thin.

No reports have come out that MSG will televise any games, but I am sure twitter will be blowing up with updates from Detroit. The tournament takes place between September 11-15 and it will be interesting to see who makes a name for themselves among the Rangers prospects.

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Founder of New York Hockey Message board on Facebook. If you want to know one man's opinion of Rangers hockey, great and awful, he is the man to seek out. Steve is a self proclaimed obsessed Rangers Fan. Steven's perfect romantic evening is a Beer, Wings and a Ranger game on TV with his girlfriend. Girlfriend is optional of course.