- Adam Tambellini, C, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) – Tambellini recorded a point in all four games he played during the past week, and posted a multi-point game in three of those contests. He registered three points (two goals, one assist) on Jan. 6 at Moose Jaw, recorded two points (two assists) on Jan. 7 at Swift Current, and notched three points (two goals, one assist) on Jan. 10 at Lethbridge.
The Rangers’ third round pick (65th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft is one of only seven players in the three Canadian Major Junior Leagues (OHL, QMJHL, WHL), and one of three WHL players, who have registered at least 26 goals and have posted a plus/minus rating of plus-24 or better thus far in the 2014-15 season.
Tambellini is tied for fourth in the WHL in goals (26), is tied for seventh in the WHL in plus/minus rating (plus-24), and is tied for 14th in the league in points (48) this season. He has recorded a point in 28 of 42 games in 2014-15, and has tallied a goal in 22 of those contests. Tambellini has registered a point in 49 of 73 career WHL regular season games, tallying 87 points (43 goals, 44 assists) in those contests.
2014-15 WHL TOTALS: 42 GP, 26-22-48, +24 RATING, 14 PIM
- Brandon Halverson, G, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) – Halverson, who returned to the Greyhounds after representing Team USA at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, continued his remarkable season in the OHL during the past week. The 18-year-old won each of the three games he appeared in during the week (all of which were on the road), and stopped 59 of 60 shots he faced (.983 SV%) while making starts on back-to-back days on Jan. 9 at Saginaw and Jan. 10 at Plymouth.
The Rangers’ second round pick (59th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has not recorded a regulation loss in his last 15 appearances, posting a 12-0-2 record, along with a 2.26 GAA, a .926 SV%, and 1 SO over the span. Halverson has also registered a 7-0-1 record, along with a 2.01 GAA, a .931 SV%, and 1 SO in his last eight appearances on the road. In his last 32 OHL appearances (dating back to March 1, 2014), Halverson has posted a 23-3-3 record, along with a 2.71 GAA, a .917 SV%, and 3 SO.
Halverson is tied for third in the OHL in wins (19), ranks sixth in GAA (2.82), is tied for sixth in shutouts (two), and ranks ninth in SV% (.911) this season.
2014-15 OHL TOTALS: 27 GP, 19-3-0-2, 2.82 GAA, .911 SV%, 2 SO
- Richard Nejezchleb, RW, Tri-City Americans (WHL) – Nejezchleb has been one of the most consistent point producers in the WHL this season, and he continued the trend over the past week by recording a point in all four of Tri-City’s games. He tied a WHL career-high by tallying a three-game goal streak during the Americans’ final three contests of the week from Jan. 7 at Prince George to Jan. 11 at Seattle (three goals over the span).
The Rangers’ fifth round pick (122nd overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has registered a point in each of his last eight games (four goals, six assists) and in 11 of his last 12 contests (seven goals, nine assists). Nejezchleb has recorded a point in 20 of 24 games this season (13 goals, 18 assists), and in 24 of his last 28 WHL games, dating back to March 8, 2014 (15 goals, 24 assists in his last 28 WHL games).
Among players who have recorded at least 30 points in the WHL this season, Nejezchleb ranks 11th in the league in points per game (1.29).
2014-15 WHL TOTALS: 24 GP, 13-18-31, -7 RATING, 26 PIM
Notes from the Wolf Pack’s three contests over the past week:
- Dylan McIlrath tallied a goal in each of Hartford’s first two games over the past week, and recorded the game-winning goal in overtime on Jan. 9 vs. Syracuse. By recording a point in each of those two contests, McIlrath extended his point streak to three games (two goals, one assist over the span).
Click on the link here to see McIlrath’s game-winning goal in overtime on Jan. 9
- Oscar Lindberg registered a point in each of the Wolf Pack’s three games over the past week, extending his point streak to four games (two goals, two assists over the four-game streak). Lindberg has notched a point in seven of the last nine games (two goals, five assists) and in nine of the last 12 contests (three goals, six assists). He leads the team in shots on goal (111), ranks second in goals (11) and points (24), and is tied for second in assists (13) this season.
- Marek Hrivik recorded a point in each of Hartford’s first two games over the past week, extending his point streak to five games. He has tallied five points (one goal, four assists) in the last six games and has registered 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in the last 14 games.
- Anthony Duclair, LW, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) – Duclair made his season debut with Quebec on Jan. 9 and tallied an assist in each of his first two games with the team. He recorded the lone assist on the Remparts’ game-tying goal with 12 seconds remaining in regulation on Jan. 11 at Drummondville.
- Cristoval Nieves, RW, University of Michigan (NCAA) – Nieves recorded two assists, including one on the game-winning goal, in the Wolverines’ 7-5 victory over the University of Minnesota on Jan. 10. He has registered a point in 11 of the last 16 games (four goals, 10 assists over the span) and he is tied for fourth on the team in assists (10) this season.
- Igor Shesterkin, G, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) – Shesterkin made 20 saves to help St. Petersburg beat Severstal, 4-3, in overtime on Jan. 11. He has won both starts he has made with St. Petersburg this season.
- Keegan Iverson, RW, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) – Iverson registered a goal in Portland’s 5-3 victory over Vancouver on Jan. 10. He has tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in the last three games, six points (two goals, four assists) in the last six games, and eight points (three goals, five assists) in the last 10 games.
“I watched the Remparts when I was in New York and I saw that they didn’t have a captain. I talked to Philippe (Boucher, Remparts Head Coach) about it and the importance of having leadership in the locker room. I had good examples of leadership in New York and the veterans there helped me a lot.” – Anthony Duclair on assuming a leadership role upon returning to Quebec (Source: Journal de Quebec)
“He has become more reliable by playing a more even game this season. He still has an edge to his game and he always keeps the opponent aware of his physical presence. He exudes character and is a great team player.” – Kevin Maxwell, Rangers Director of Professional Scouting, on Dylan McIlrath
“He has been one of the team’s most consistent offensive producers since returning from his first NHL training camp experience with the Rangers this year. He’s a top offensive player yet he’s still extremely reliable in his own zone.” – Laurence Heinen, Calgary Hitmen beat writer for the Calgary Herald, on Adam Tambellini
“He is a playmaker who makes everyone around him better. He has patience with the puck and creates plays when you think there is nothing there. He brings a sense of excitement and confidence to the team that it hasn’t had over the last few seasons. He gives his teammates (and the fans) something to believe in, and he hasn’t disappointed either group.” – Annie Fowler, Tri-City Americans beat writer for the Tri-City Herald, on Richard Nejezchleb