Rangers get blueliner Niemi from Isles
2008 third-round draft pick comes to Blueshirts for a 2010 sixth-rounder
Tuesday, 05.25.2010 / 2:40 PM
/ News
New York Rangers
Print
• Rangers Contract Was Worth Niemi's Wait
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Jyri Niemi from the New York Islanders in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers and Niemi have agreed to terms on a contract. Niemi is expected to attend the Rangers' annual Prospect Development Camp this summer in the days following the NHL Entry Draft.
Niemi, 19, skated in 50 games with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this past season, registering eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points, along with 67 penalty minutes and a plus-nine rating.
He ranked second among team defensemen in goals and power play goals and third in assists and points. Niemi recorded a career-high, five-game scoring streak from October 7 vs. Kootenay to October 18 at Edmonton, tallying seven points over the span, including a two-goal effort on October 7.
He recorded a point in each of his last four regular season contests from February 20 vs. Brandon to February 26 vs. Prince Albert (one goal and three assists), and registered 10 points (two goals and eight assists) in 13 games during the month of February. The third-year player established career-highs in post-season games played, goals and penalty minutes while ranking second among Saskatoon defensemen in playoff goals and tied for third in playoff points.
The 6-3, 210-pounder has appeared in 159 career regular season contests for Saskatoon, registering 29 goals and 66 assists for 95 points, along with 198 penalty minutes and a plus-27 rating. He established career-highs in games played (60), assists (25), penalty minutes (74) and plus/minus rating (plus-19) during the 2008-09 season. Later that season, Niemi made his WHL playoff debut, and led Saskatoon with a career-high six assists and seven points in six post-season contests.
In 2007-08, he finished first among WHL rookie defensemen with a career-high 14 goals, and ranked third with 34 points while skating in 49 games. He was selected to participate in the 2008 CHL Top Prospects Game, where he won the hardest shot competition with a shot registered at 97 miles per hour.
Saskatoon’s first pick, 13th overall, in the 2007 CHL Import Draft, Niemi made his WHL debut on September 21, 2007, at Brandon, and notched his first point with a goal and added two assists for a career-high, three points on September 26 vs. Moose Jaw.
Prior to joining Saskatoon, Niemi played with HPK Hameenlinna in the Finnish Junior League, registering six goals and three assists for nine points, along with 72 penalty minutes in 35 games during the 2006-07 season.
Internationally, Niemi has represented his native country in several international tournaments, most recently serving as Captain for Finland at the 2010 U-20 World Junior Championship. He finished the tournament tied for second among all defensemen and ranked second among Finnish skaters in goals (three), and tied for third on the team in points (five).
The Hameenkyro, Finland native was originally selected as the New York Islanders’ third round pick, 72nd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers and Islanders last completed a trade on Nov. 14, 1972, when the Rangers sent right wing Ron Stewart to the Islanders in exchange for cash.
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Jyri Niemi from the New York Islanders in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers and Niemi have agreed to terms on a contract. Niemi is expected to attend the Rangers' annual Prospect Development Camp this summer in the days following the NHL Entry Draft.
 |
| Defenseman Jyri Niemi celebrates a go-ahead goal in the third period Finland's 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship victory over Russia. Niemi served as captain of the Finnish team, which placed fifth. |
He ranked second among team defensemen in goals and power play goals and third in assists and points. Niemi recorded a career-high, five-game scoring streak from October 7 vs. Kootenay to October 18 at Edmonton, tallying seven points over the span, including a two-goal effort on October 7.
He recorded a point in each of his last four regular season contests from February 20 vs. Brandon to February 26 vs. Prince Albert (one goal and three assists), and registered 10 points (two goals and eight assists) in 13 games during the month of February. The third-year player established career-highs in post-season games played, goals and penalty minutes while ranking second among Saskatoon defensemen in playoff goals and tied for third in playoff points.
The 6-3, 210-pounder has appeared in 159 career regular season contests for Saskatoon, registering 29 goals and 66 assists for 95 points, along with 198 penalty minutes and a plus-27 rating. He established career-highs in games played (60), assists (25), penalty minutes (74) and plus/minus rating (plus-19) during the 2008-09 season. Later that season, Niemi made his WHL playoff debut, and led Saskatoon with a career-high six assists and seven points in six post-season contests.
In 2007-08, he finished first among WHL rookie defensemen with a career-high 14 goals, and ranked third with 34 points while skating in 49 games. He was selected to participate in the 2008 CHL Top Prospects Game, where he won the hardest shot competition with a shot registered at 97 miles per hour.
Saskatoon’s first pick, 13th overall, in the 2007 CHL Import Draft, Niemi made his WHL debut on September 21, 2007, at Brandon, and notched his first point with a goal and added two assists for a career-high, three points on September 26 vs. Moose Jaw.
Prior to joining Saskatoon, Niemi played with HPK Hameenlinna in the Finnish Junior League, registering six goals and three assists for nine points, along with 72 penalty minutes in 35 games during the 2006-07 season.
Internationally, Niemi has represented his native country in several international tournaments, most recently serving as Captain for Finland at the 2010 U-20 World Junior Championship. He finished the tournament tied for second among all defensemen and ranked second among Finnish skaters in goals (three), and tied for third on the team in points (five).
The Hameenkyro, Finland native was originally selected as the New York Islanders’ third round pick, 72nd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers and Islanders last completed a trade on Nov. 14, 1972, when the Rangers sent right wing Ron Stewart to the Islanders in exchange for cash.
