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Three Stars of the Week

Quick Hits

  • Tarmo Reunanentallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating in 19:52 of ice time on Feb. 22 against KalPa. The Rangers' fourth round pick (98th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has notched 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in the last 25 games, including nine points (one goal, eight assists) in the last 16 contests. Reunanen has recorded 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 51 games with Lukko in Liiga (Finland's top league) this season, and he has established Liiga career-highs in goals, assists, and points. Among defensemen who are younger than 21 years old in Liiga, Reunanen ranks first in goals and points, and he ranks second in assists thus far this season. He is tied for 12th in Liiga in average ice time in 2018-19 (21:17), and he ranks second among players younger than 21 years old in the league in average ice time this season. Reunanen has logged at least 24:00 of ice time in 17 of the last 24 games, as well as 25:00 or more of ice time in 10 of the last 20 games and 26:00 or more of ice time in seven of the last 18 contests.
  • Riley Hughesrecorded four points (one goal, three assists) on Feb. 22 against Nanaimo. The Rangers' seventh round pick (216th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has registered 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 53 BCHL games with Victoria this season. Hughes ranks fourth among BCHL rookies in goals, assists, and points thus far in 2018-19.
  • Joey Keanetallied an assist/point in two of four games during the week (two assists). The Rangers' third round pick (88th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has registered 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists) and a plus-15 rating in 57 OHL games this season, including 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 28 games with London. Keane ranks 15th among OHL defensemen in assists, is tied for 16th in points, ranks ninth in shots on goal (161), and is tied for 10th in power play assists (13) this season.
  • Yegor Rykovfinished the KHL regular season tied for second among league defensemen younger than 22 years old in points (nine; three goals, six assists). Rykov's team, HC Sochi, begins the Conference Quarterfinals of the 2019 Gagarin Cup Playoffs on Feb. 25 against Lokomotiv.
  • Patrik Virtarecorded an assist on Feb. 23 against Brynas. The Rangers' seventh round pick (207th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a point in seven of the last 10 games (four goals, three assists), including four of the last six contests (two goals, two assists). Virta has registered 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 29 SHL games with Orebro in 2018-19.
  • Dominik Lakatosregistered an assist and posted a plus-one rating in Liberec's game on Feb. 24 against Mountfield HK. The Rangers' sixth round pick (157th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has recorded 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) and a plus-three rating in 47 games in Czech Extraliga in 2018-19. Among players younger than 22 years old in Czech Extraliga, Lakatos ranks second in assists and ranks fourth in points this season.
  • Tyler Nannetallied a goal, recorded four shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating on Feb. 23 against Notre Dame. He has registered a point in two of the last three games (one goal, one assist), and he has tallied 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 33 games with the University of Minnesota this season.

Emerging From the Pack

  • Vinni Lettierirecorded a point in each of Hartford's three games during the week, tallying five points (two goals, three assists) in the three contests. Lettieri has registered a point in each of the six games he has played with the Wolf Pack since he was assigned to Hartford on Feb. 13 (five goals, four assists), including a goal in five of the six games. He recorded two points (one goal, one assist), including the game-winning goal, and registered 10 shots on goal on Feb. 22 vs. Springfield. Lettieri has tallied 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) and 126 shots on goal (3.60 shots on goal per game) in 35 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season. Lettieri leads the Wolf Pack in points per game (1.03), is tied for second in goals, ranks third in shots on goal, and ranks fourth in points in 2018-19.*
  • Tim Gettingerrecorded two points (one goal, one assist), registering four shots on goal, and was selected as the game's Second Star on Feb. 24 at Providence. The Rangers' fifth round pick (141st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Drafthas tallied six points (three goals, three assists) in the last eight games and 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in 47 games with the Wolf Pack in his first season in the AHL in 2018-19. Gettinger leads Wolf Pack rookies in goals and points this season.*
  • Ty Ronningregistered a goal in two of Hartford's three games during the week (two goals). The Rangers' seventh round pick (201st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, who was reassigned to Hartford from Maine (ECHL) on Feb. 13, has recorded three goals/points in 11 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season.
  • Ryan Lindgrentallied an assist and posted a plus-two rating on Feb. 24 at Providence, and he posted a plus-three rating over Hartford's three games during the week. He has recorded 11 assists/points and has posted a plus-seven rating in 51 games with the Wolf Pack during his rookie season in the AHL in 2018-19. Lindgren leads Hartford in plus/minus rating this season. In addition, he ranks third among Wolf Pack defensemen in assists in 2018-19.
  • Sean Daytallied a point in two of Hartford's three games during the week (one goal, one assist). He has registered a point in four of the last five games, and he has notched five points (two goals, three assists) over the span.
  • Chris Nell**stopped 29 of 30 shots and earned a win while making his first AHL appearance of the season on Feb. 24 at Providence.

Quotebook

"I feel I've taken big steps since last year. I've gained confidence and I play with more poise now. My skating has improved, and that gives me more opportunities with and without the puck." - Rangers prospect Tarmo Reunanen, who leads all defensemen younger than 21 years old in Liiga in goals and points this season