Report: Rangers top prospect chooses USA over Canada

The long and winding road to the NHL for New York Rangers 2016 3rd round selection Sean Day just took another interesting turn. New York Post reporter and Rangers insider Larry Brooks reported that Day, along with 2016 5th round selection Tim Gettinger, will be at team USA’s World Junior Championship training camp.

The announcement is a surprising one on two accounts. One, Day recently completed his fourth year of junior hockey in the OHL by winning the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires. He’s expected to be in the mix to compete for a job on the Rangers blue line later this fall. And two, Day has already played internationally for Canada in Hockey Canada tournaments. The 19 year-old holds dual American/Canadian citizenship, but because he has not played in an officially sanctioned IIHF event, he’s free to choose his allegiance. By accepting team USA’s invitation, it seems he’s made his choice.

As for Gettinger, the 19 year-old put up 31 goals and 54 points in 62 games with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL in 2016-17. He recently signed his entry-level contract with the Rangers.