McDonagh turning pro with Rangers
Star college defenseman, former first-round pick agrees to terms on deal
Tuesday, 07.06.2010 / 4:26 PM
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New York Rangers
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• McDonagh Puts the 'D' in Defense
• A Happy Camper Becomes a Blueshirt
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
McDonagh, 21, skated in 43 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers this season, registering four goals and 14 assists for 18 points, along with 73 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating. He ranked second on the team in plus/minus rating, and ranked third among team defensemen in assists and points, and fourth in goals.
In his third season with the Badgers, McDonagh established career-highs in games played, assists, points and penalty minutes. He tallied an assist on the game winning goal in the National Semifinal game vs. R.I.T. on April 8 to help Wisconsin advance to the National Championship game vs. Boston College.
McDonagh finished the tournament with two assists, and was named to the All-West Regional Team. Earlier in the season, he tallied a season-high, four-game point streak from October 30 vs. New Hampshire to November 7 vs. Minnesota, registering four points (one goal and three assists) over the span.
The 6-1, 222-pounder skated in 119 career NCAA games over three seasons with Wisconsin, recording 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points, along with 174 penalty minutes.
In 2008-09, McDonagh finished fourth among Badger defensemen in assists (11) and points (16), and tied for third in goals (five). He was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team and the WCHA All-Academic Team, and was chosen by his teammates as winner of the Fenton Kelsey, Jr. Most Competitive Player award.
As a Freshman in 2007-08, he was named to the 2008 WCHA All-Rookie Team after leading all first year defensemen in the WCHA and tying for first among all Wisconsin defensemen with a career-high, five goals. He also tied for third in the conference among Freshman defensemen in scoring with 12 points. McDonagh made his collegiate debut on October 12, 2007 vs. Notre Dame, and tallied his first career point with the game-winning goal on October 19, 2007 vs. Robert Morris.
Prior to his collegiate career, McDonagh was a two-time All-State (Minnesota) and All-Conference high school hockey player. He was named 2007 Minnesota Mr. Hockey after registering 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points in his Senior year at Cretin-Derham High School. As a Junior in 2005-06, he helped lead his team to the 2006 Minnesota State, High School title, earning All-Tournament accolades during his team’s title run.
Internationally, McDonagh has represented the United States in several tournaments, including the 2009 World Junior Championship where he registered three assists and tied for the team-lead with a plus-five rating in six contests. He also captured a Silver Medal with Team USA at the 2007 World U-18 Junior Championship, registering three assists in seven games.
The St. Paul, Minnesota native was acquired by the Rangers, along with forward Christopher Higgins and defenseman Pavel Valentenko, from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forwards Scott Gomez and Tom Pyatt, and defenseman Mike Busto on June 30, 2009. He was originally Montreal’s first round choice, 12th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
• A Happy Camper Becomes a Blueshirt
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
McDonagh, 21, skated in 43 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers this season, registering four goals and 14 assists for 18 points, along with 73 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating. He ranked second on the team in plus/minus rating, and ranked third among team defensemen in assists and points, and fourth in goals.
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| Defenseman Ryan McDonagh was at the MSG Training Center last week for the Rangers' prospects' camp. He'll be back in September to begin his pro hockey career at the team's main training camp. |
McDonagh finished the tournament with two assists, and was named to the All-West Regional Team. Earlier in the season, he tallied a season-high, four-game point streak from October 30 vs. New Hampshire to November 7 vs. Minnesota, registering four points (one goal and three assists) over the span.
The 6-1, 222-pounder skated in 119 career NCAA games over three seasons with Wisconsin, recording 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points, along with 174 penalty minutes.
In 2008-09, McDonagh finished fourth among Badger defensemen in assists (11) and points (16), and tied for third in goals (five). He was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team and the WCHA All-Academic Team, and was chosen by his teammates as winner of the Fenton Kelsey, Jr. Most Competitive Player award.
As a Freshman in 2007-08, he was named to the 2008 WCHA All-Rookie Team after leading all first year defensemen in the WCHA and tying for first among all Wisconsin defensemen with a career-high, five goals. He also tied for third in the conference among Freshman defensemen in scoring with 12 points. McDonagh made his collegiate debut on October 12, 2007 vs. Notre Dame, and tallied his first career point with the game-winning goal on October 19, 2007 vs. Robert Morris.
Prior to his collegiate career, McDonagh was a two-time All-State (Minnesota) and All-Conference high school hockey player. He was named 2007 Minnesota Mr. Hockey after registering 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points in his Senior year at Cretin-Derham High School. As a Junior in 2005-06, he helped lead his team to the 2006 Minnesota State, High School title, earning All-Tournament accolades during his team’s title run.
Internationally, McDonagh has represented the United States in several tournaments, including the 2009 World Junior Championship where he registered three assists and tied for the team-lead with a plus-five rating in six contests. He also captured a Silver Medal with Team USA at the 2007 World U-18 Junior Championship, registering three assists in seven games.
The St. Paul, Minnesota native was acquired by the Rangers, along with forward Christopher Higgins and defenseman Pavel Valentenko, from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forwards Scott Gomez and Tom Pyatt, and defenseman Mike Busto on June 30, 2009. He was originally Montreal’s first round choice, 12th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
