NEWARK, NJ – When the Rangers signed defenseman Brian Fahey back on Jul. 18, not many took notice.

And for good reason. Fahey is a career minor leaguer who played with the Chicago Wolves last season. On an AHL contract, he wasn’t even the Atlanta Thrashers property, the Wolves parent club, rather a journeyman just filling out the roster.

But the Rangers saw something in the 27 year-old and maybe they have some lightning in a bottle here, much like when they signed Dan Girardi a few years ago.

“We actually talked about that and we are wondering if that’s what we might have,” coach Tom Renney said. “He certainly hasn’t done anything to take himself out of the running. And he is certainly has caused interest in himself, so we will look at him over the next couple of games.”

Fahey, of course, is a long shot to stick with the team at the beginning of the season, but he is certainly making a statement. He scored the first goal for the Rangers in their 3-2 loss to the Devils last night and almost got a second one later in the game. During this condensed training camp, any type of good play helps the cause.

“I was never guaranteed anything here, but they said come to camp,” Fahey said. “So far the feedback has been good. I have been on one year contracts my entire career, so it’s been good.”

Defenseman a little longer to develop and Fahey may be a prime example of that. With 14 goals and 23 assists last year in Chicago, the Illinois native showed he can put the puck in the net while helping out on the blue line.

But it will still be tough. With the first six positions pretty much set, Fahey will be fighting for the bench role, one who normally doesn’t dress unless there’s an injury. Competing with players like Thomas Pock, Renney - who admitted he didn’t know too much about the defenseman - may be more inclined to keep a player like Fahey instead of a younger player because of the limited playing time.

“We thought we might have a good call up guy,” Renney said. “He came in as advertised, but I am learning about him now.”

What Renney is seeing is a guy who played in the AHL and ECHL since 2003. The past two seasons with the Wolves he was plus-13 and plus-17 respectively and could be ready to make the jump much like Girardi did a few years ago.

That doesn’t concern Fahey, who is just playing his game.

“I am doing the things that are asked of me,” he said, “so I think my chances are as good as any.”

Notes: Petr Nedved continues to impress this training camp with two assists on the night. Renney said he will play tomorrow against the Lightning at the Garden...Aaron Voros also impressed with a goal and a fight, showing why the Blueshirts signed in back in July.