Rangers Recall Alex Belzile From Hartford

The latest Hartford Wolf Pack player to get the phone call that he’s coming up to the big leagues is Alex Belzile.

As pointed out by Vince Mercogliano, Belzile becomes the eighth forward the Rangers have called up from Hartford this season.

With the Rangers placing Tyler Pitlick on waivers yesterday and having since been assigned to the Wolf Pack, Belzile joins the Rangers as their 13th forward. Chris Kreider did miss today’s practice for what was cited as personal reasons so there’s a pretty good chance that this move is mainly just out of precaution. Peter Laviolette and the Rangers coaching staff seem to be rather content with what Adam Edström has brought to the table this year which is earning him an extended look on that fourth line with Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey.

As far as Alex Belzile goes, he’s had a pretty steady year with the Wolf Pack. In 43 games this season, he has registered 14 goals and 23 assists for a total of 37 points, serving as one of their top forwards. At 32 years of age and almost a decade’s worth of AHL experience, Belzile has proven to be a valuable veteran presence for a rather young Hartford team.  In addition to his plethora of AHL experience, Belzile has contributed 6 goals and 9 assists through 44 games with the Montreal Canadiens. In the event one of the Rangers top-twelve forwards are unable to go, he would get the chance to make his return to the NHL against his former team.

Having become the eighth forward to get the call-up to the Rangers this year, there is a very good chance that Drury is rewarding many of his in the system players with at least a day or two’s worth of an NHL paycheck. Barring any last minute decisions with any of the Rangers current forwards, Belzile will likely act as the extra skater for a couple days before rejoining the pack for a busy weekend ahead.