Rangers Agree to Terms With Joey Keane

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Joey Keane on an entry-level contract.
Keane, 19, has skated in 61 games in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season with the Barrie Colts and London Knights, registering eight goals and 29 assists for 37 points, along with a plus-14 rating and 91 penalty minutes. He is one of 11 OHL defensemen who have registered 37 or more points and have posted a plus-14 rating or better thus far this season. Keane ranks third among OHL defensemen in penalty minutes, ranks 10th among OHL defensemen in shots on goal (167), is tied for 11th among OHL defensemen in power play assists (13), is tied for 13th among OHL defensemen in power play goals (four), and is tied for 17th among OHL defensemen in assists and points this season. He posted an OHL career-high nine-game point streak over his first nine games with London from Dec. 28 vs. Windsor to Jan. 13 at Kitchener (two goals, eight assists).

The 6-0, 183-pounder has skated in 190 career OHL games over three seasons (2016-17 - 2018-19) with Barrie and London, registering 21 goals and 79 assists for 100 points, along with a plus-31 rating and 204 penalty minutes. Since he began his OHL career in 2016-17, Keane ranks 13th among defensemen in points, and he is one of three OHL defensemen who have recorded at least 100 points and 200 penalty minutes over the span. He was selected to the OHL's Third All-Star Team in 2017-18, as he established OHL career-highs in goals (12), assists (32), points (44), and plus/minus rating (plus-45), and he led all OHL defensemen in plus/minus rating during the season.
The Chicago, Illinois native was selected by the Rangers in the third round, 88th overall, of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The Blueshirts acquired the pick used to select Keane in a trade with the Boston Bruins on Feb. 20, 2018.