BREAKING: Rangers win 20 team sweepstakes and sign promising blue liner

One of this upcoming offseason’s most hotly pursued college free-agents is off the market. University of Minnesota-Duluth defenseman Neal Pionk has signed an entry level contract with the New York Rangers that begins with the 2017-18 NHL season.

The 21 year-old blue liner put up seven goals and 21 assists in 42 games this season in the NCAA and was named to the NCHC’s All-Star and All-Tournament teams. He was named the USHL’s defenseman of the year in 2014-15. 

CBC reporter and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman speculated earlier this year that as many as 20 NHL teams were interested in acquiring the services of Pionk, but it appears as though the Rangers have won out. It’s a good move for the player and the team, as the Rangers’ defense corps is steadily aging and could use an injection of youth and skating ability on the blue line. Pionk, a smooth skating puck mover, can provide just that.