It’s the time of year when NHL teams like the New York Rangers are sifting through the prospect pool trying to find that unsigned gem, the next Martin St. Louis. The Blueshirts saw one of those players in a Red Wings uniform in Taro Hirose, leading scorer in the NCAA, who signed a deal with Detroit out of Michigan State University. The Rangers have not been idle, signing Jake Elmer from the Lethbridge Broncos last week.
The Rangers invited several collegiate free agents to their prospect camp last summer. Of that group, forward Josh Melnick (Miami of Ohio) has signed with Dallas and defenseman Josh Teves (Princeton) has signed with Vancouver.