Rangers recall Neal Pionk
An early look at the future of the Rangers blue line?
Following an embarrassing 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Boston Bruins on home ice last night the New York Rangers have recalled 22-year-old defenseman Neal Pionk from the Hartford Wolf Pack.
It’s worth noting that veteran defenseman Brendan Smith saw just 15:56 of ice time last night. The only other Rangers blueliner who played less than 20 minutes of hockey was Tony DeAngelo.
Rangers recall defenseman Neal Pionk from the Hartford Wolf Pack. #NYR #HWP
— Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) February 8, 2018
Pionk signed with the Rangers as an undrafted college free agent in March 2017. The Minnesota native played two seasons of NCAA Division I hockey with UMD and put up 34 points last season in 42 games.
This season with the Wolf Pack Pionk has one goal and 17 assists this season with the Wolf Pack. He is second among Hartford defenders in scoring, behind John Gilmour. If Pionk draws into the lineup on Friday against the Calgary Flames, it will be his first taste of NHL action.
