The New York Rangers are in the search for talent and they continued that search by signing college free agent Partick Newell.
The New York Rangers are reportedly signing forward Patrick Newell according to SportsNet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Hearing St. Cloud F Patrick Newell (a Hobey Baker Finalist) is going to sign with NYR
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 30, 2019
Newell, a Hobey Baker finalist this season, saw a career year playing in his fourth season at St. Cloud State University. He posted 47 points on the year with 21 goals and 26 assists.
The 23-year-old forward is a versatile player who is capable of playing center and on the wing. He joins Jacob Elmer as the newest unrestricted free agents 24-years-old and younger to sign a deal with the Blueshirts.
Should Newell make the Rangers roster next year, he would become the 33rd player from St. Cloud State University to play at the NHL level. He’ll join the likes of Ryan Malone, Drew LeBlanc, Nick Jensen, Nic Dowd, and Matt Cullen to come out of that program.
The Rangers are in a stage where their main focus is to add as much talent as they can possibly find, hence the signings of Elmer and Newell. By adding these players, they are creating competition up and down the lineup along with giving their AHL team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, a chance to contend next year after going through a brutal season in 2018-19.
While Newell most definitely will not have an impact at the NHL roster this season, be on the lookout for him in training camp in 2019. You never know who will surprise you, and Newell will have a chance to do just that.
Until then, the Rangers have five games remaining in the regular season before the NHL Draft Lottery on April 9.
