No, Dylan McIlrath wasn’t jumping up and down, as noted by Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton. But the franchise’s first-round pick from 2010 (10th overall) finally has made an opening-day roster, and his excitement was apparent through a tight smile.
“Just overwhelmed with excitement,” McIlrath said Friday with a deadpan delivery that belied his joy in the moment. “It’s been a pretty long road to get to this point. I’ve obviously worked really hard, and it makes it that much more gratifying when you’ve faced some adversity.”
McIlrath, 23, struggled with injuries through his first couple years, and has played a total of three NHL games, two in 2013-14 and one last season.