Alexei Bereglazov

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Alexei Bereglazov.

Bereglazov, 23, skated in 60 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) this season, registering one goal and 18 assists for 19 points, along with a plus-nine rating and 20 penalty minutes. Bereglazov established KHL career-highs in several categories this season, including games played, assists, points, plus/minus rating, and average ice time (19:27). Bereglazov led KHL defensemen 24 years old or younger in assists and tied for first among KHL defensemen 24 years old or younger in points this season. He led Metallurg in blocked shots (68) in 2016-17. In addition, Bereglazov ranked second among team defensemen in shots on goal (111), tied for second among team defensemen in assists, ranked third among team defensemen in points, and ranked fourth among team defensemen in average ice time and plus/minus rating.
The 6-4, 205-pounder also skated in eight playoff games with Metallurg this season, registering six assists and a plus-eight rating. Bereglazov tied for fifth among KHL defensemen in assists, ranked sixth among KHL defensemen in plus/minus rating, and tied for 10th among KHL defensemen in points in the playoffs this year. In addition, he ranked fourth on Metallurg in average ice time (20:19), and ranked fifth on the team in assists and plus/minus rating in the playoffs.
Bereglazov skated in 162 games over parts of four seasons in the KHL (2013-14 - 2016-17), registering five goals and 28 assists for 33 points, along with a plus-six rating and 73 penalty minutes. He also registered 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) and a plus-16 rating in 40 career KHL playoff games, and he helped Metallurg Magnitogorsk win the Gagarin Cup in 2015-16.
The Magnitogorsk, Russia, native has represented his country in several tournaments. Bereglazov tallied two assists and posted a plus-one rating in seven games while helping Russia earn a bronze medal at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, and he was teammates with current Ranger Pavel Buchnevich during the tournament. He also represented Russia at the 2013 Canada-Russia Super Series and the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championship.