- Brett Berardrecorded an assist on the game-winning goal and posted a plus-one rating in the United States' win against the Czech Republic at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship on Dec. 29, and he registered an assist and posted a plus-two rating in the United States' win in the Quarterfinals against Slovakia on Jan. 2. The Rangers' fifth round pick (134th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has registered five points (one goal, four assists) and a plus-seven rating in five games with the United States in the tournament. Berard is tied for third on the United States in plus/minus rating and is tied for sixth on the team in points thus far during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. Berard is the second-youngest player on the United States' roster and one of only six players born in 2002 who are representing the United States in the tournament this year, and he also leads all U19 players on the United States in points in the tournament. He is the first 18-year-old Rangers prospect to record at least five points in one year with the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship since Chris Kreider in 2010 (seven points).
Prospect Report: 01.04.21
By
New York Rangers
- Braden Schneidertallied an assist on the game-winning goal and posted a plus-two rating in Canada's win over Finland in the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship on Dec. 31, and the assist was his first career assist/point in the tournament. The Rangers' first round pick (19th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has registered one assist and has posted a plus-four rating in four games with Canada in the tournament this year.
- Hunter Skinnermade his IIHF World Junior Championship debut with the United States in the Quarterfinals against Slovakia on Jan. 2. The Rangers' fourth round pick (112th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft also made his international hockey debut with the United States in the contest, and he helped the United States advance to the Semifinals.
- Zachary Jonestallied a point in each of UMass' three games during the past week (two goals, two assists); he*registered two points (one goal, one assist) and posted a plus-three rating on Dec. 30 at New Hampshire, notched an assist and tied for the game-high with four shots on goal on Jan. 1 at Northeastern, and tallied a goal and led all skaters with six shots on goal on Jan. 2 vs. Northeastern. The Rangers' third round pick (68th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft extended his point streak to five games, which is a collegiate career-high (three goals, four assists over the span), and he has tallied 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 12 games with UMass this season. Jones has notched at least one point in eight of 12 games this season, and UMass has posted a 6-1-1 record in those eight contests. He has also recorded 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) through 44 career collegiate games with UMass. He ranks second on UMass in shots on goal (36), is tied for third in goals, ranks fifth in points in 2020-21. Jones ranks second among NCAA defensemen in goals thus far this season, and he has eclipsed his goal total from his freshman year. In addition, he ranks sixth among NCAA defensemen in points and is tied for third among NCAA defensemen in shots on goal in 2020-21. Among all NCAA players who are either in their freshman or sophomore year this season, Jones is tied for eighth in goals, is tied for 10th in points, and is tied for sixth in shots on goal.
- Nils Lundkvistrecorded two points (one goal, one assist) and posted a plus-two rating in three games during the past week; he posted a plus-one rating and registered four shots on goal in 19:38 of ice time on Dec. 28 against Leksands, tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating in 23:51 of ice time on Dec. 30 against Djurgardens, and registered a goal and recorded four shots on goal in 20:23 of ice time on Jan. 2 against Linkoping. The Rangers' first round pick (28th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a point in five of the last six games (one goal, four assists), in seven of the last nine games (one goal, six assists), and in 10 of the last 14 games (four goals, eight assists). He has registered 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) and 79 shots on goal in 26 SHL games in 2020-21, and he has averaged 20:25 of ice time per game in the 26 contests. Lundkvist is tied for second among SHL defensemen in goals and is tied for eighth among SHL defensemen in points this season; among SHL defensemen who are in their U21 season or younger in 2020-21, he ranks first in goals and points, and ranks second in assists. His 79 shots on goal this season are the second-most by an SHL defenseman; he is averaging 3.04 shots on goal per game this season after averaging 2.04 shots on goal per game in 2019-20 (92 shots on goal in 45 games). Lundkvist leads Lulea in shots on goal (19 more shots on goal than the next-closest player) and is tied for the team lead in power play goals (four) in 2020-21, and he also leads SHL defensemen in power play goals this season. He ranks second on Lulea in average ice time this season, and his 20:25 average ice time per game is the highest among all SHL players who are 20 years old or younger. Lundkvist's 22 career SHL goals and 62 career SHL points are each the third-most by an SHL defenseman while in his U21 season or younger in league history. In addition, his 40 career SHL assists are the fourth-most by an SHL defenseman while in his U21 season or younger in league history.
- Vitali Kravtsovregistered a goal on Dec. 28 against Avangard. The Rangers' first round pick (ninth overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has recorded 17 points (12 goals, five assists), a plus-four rating, and 90 shots on goal in 34 KHL games with Traktor this season. In addition, he has recorded a goal/point in each of the last two games (two goals) and in three of the last four games (three goals), and he has tallied a point in four of the last five contests (three goals, one assist). Despite missing seven games this season, Kravtsov leads Traktor in goals and even strength goals (nine), and is tied for fourth in shots on goal (and ranks third on the team in shots on goal per game - 2.6). In the 34 games Kravtsov has played this season, he has tallied a point on 17 of the 85 goals Traktor have scored (20.0%), and he has been on the ice for 28 of Traktor's 85 goals in those 34 contests (32.9%). Among KHL players who are in their U22 season or younger in 2020-21, Kravtsov, who turned 21 years old on Dec. 23, is tied for first in goals, is tied for third in points, and is tied for eighth (tied for fifth among forwards) in plus/minus rating. Traktor has posted an 8-3-0 record in games which Kravtsov has registered a goal this season and an 11-4-0 record in games which he has notched a point.
- Oliver Tarnstromtallied a point in each of the three games he played during the past week, recording four points (two goals, two assists) in the three contests.*The Rangers' third round pick (92nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has registered four points (two goals, two assists) and a plus-two rating in six games with Hanvikens SK in Hockeyettan (third tier league in Sweden) this season.
- Karl Henrikssonposted a plus-one rating in two of three games during the past week. The Rangers' second round pick (58th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft has posted a plus-six rating over the last five games, and he has posted a plus-one rating or better in four of the five contests. Henriksson is one of only eight junior (U20) players in the SHL (and one of only four junior forwards) who have registered at least four assists this season. He is also one of only 12 junior players in the SHL (and one of only eight junior forwards) who have recorded at least four points in 2020-21. Henriksson's 13:50 average ice time per game is the fourth-highest by a junior forward in the SHL this season (trailing only William Eklund, Alexander Holtz, and Lucas Raymond).
