BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — It was the first real audition for the man from Magnitogorsk.
As the battle shapes up for the final defense spots on the Rangers, Alexei Bereglazov, who played for his hometown team Metallurg in Russia’s KHL for four seasons, made his Rangers debut against the Islanders on Friday night.
Bereglazov, 23, who signed a two-year contract worth $925,000 per season as an undrafted free agent, will get an opportunity to stick in the next few games.
“We had some real good reports from European pro scouting personnel,” coach Alain Vig neault said before Friday night’s 2-1 Islanders victory at Webster Bank Arena.