Jacob Trouba named New York Rangers captain, first since McDonagh in 2018

NEW YORK, NY – Jacob Trouba was named captain of the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

He is the 28th player to be named captain in Rangers history. Mark Messier held the position twice, from 1991-97 and again from 2000-04.

“It’s a huge honor and something that means something, especially here in this organization with the history and the past players that have been captain before me,” Trouba said. “As a kid I grew up watching [Brian] Leetch and Messier, [Chris] Drury and [Jaromir] Jagr. … You come here and you learn more about the history of the guys that were before them. You see pictures, you see jerseys around this place.

“It’s now my turn to carry that legacy on for those guys.”

The 28-year-old defenseman is the Rangers’ first captain in more than four years, since defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 26, 2018.

“It was just the right time,” said Drury, who was captain from 2008-11 and has been general manager since May 5, 2021. “As a lot of our players have said publicly the last couple days, ‘Jake’ was basically doing the job for the last couple of seasons. We just felt it was appropriate and now is the time. We’re excited to see the ‘C’ on him, that’s for sure.”

Jets sign forward Jansen Harkins to a two-year contract

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Jets announced today they have agreed to terms with forward Jansen Harkins on a two-year contract with an average annual value in the NHL of $850,000.

Harkins, 25, played a career high 77 games for the Jets in 2021-22 and also set new highs in goals (7), assists (6), and points (13). Harkins, Winnipeg’s second round pick (47th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft, has played 132 career games for the Jets and posted 22 points (10G, 12A) and 24 penalty minutes, adding a goal in four playoff games. Harkins made his professional debut with the Manitoba Moose in 2015-16 and has since played 156 games for the Moose recording 82 points (27G, 55A) and 88 PIMs.

Harkins, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, played his entire junior career with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars. He played 275 games and recorded 242 points (75G, 167A) and 164 PIMs, adding 16 points (4G, 12A) in 15 playoff games. Internationally, the North Vancouver, B.C. product won a gold medal for Canada at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka and he also won a bronze at the 2015 U18 World Championship.

Beecher’s promise as Bruins prospect goes beyond offensive numbers

BOSTON, MA – To find John Beecher’s name on the list of leading scorers from a stacked University of Michigan hockey team last season, one needs to scroll down. Way down. From Matty Beniers (43 points) and Brendan Brisson (42) and Luke Hughes (39) to Owen Power (32), all of them fellow first-round NHL Draft picks, to where Beecher and his 15 points can be found tied for 12th.

But that doesn’t mean the 21-year-old forward has fallen in the estimation of the Boston Bruins, who selected him with the No. 30 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Seattle Signs Magnus Hellberg to One Year Contract

SEATTLE, WA – Seattle Kracken GM Ron Francis announced they signed goaltender Magnus Hellberg to a one-year, one-way contract for $750,000.

Hellberg has been a standout goalie in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) the last several seasons. Magnus will battle for the backup goaltender position with the Kracken.

 

Jack Campbell is counting on himself

EDMONTON, AB – There isn’t a lot of chill from goaltender Jack Campbell when it comes to showing his affection, including spoiling his pets on their big day.

Speaking to the media for the first time on Wednesday as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, the 30-year-old answered for the iconic cat-birthday photo for his feline friend ‘Buds’ that made its rounds through social media earlier this year.

“I’ve been a cat dad for a few years now and my male cat Buds had a birthday,” he said with a smile. “My new fiancée, I just got engaged a few weeks ago so I’m still working on the lingo, the two of us decided to throw him a little birthday party and he had a nice time.”

Seattle Signs Its Top 2022 Draft Pick Shane Wright to Entry Level Contract

SEATTLE, WA – Shane Wright signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old forward was the No. 4 pick in the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft.

“It was the overall fit and what the organization is building to,” Wright said on Day Two of Kraken development camp Tuesday. “They are a new team, so they don’t have as many prospects in the system as some other teams do. I feel it’ll just give me a lot more opportunities, stepping in to make a difference right away. The potential ability to be part of a situation and be a building block and a huge piece in their team and the organization for the future was something that really excited me. Now that it finally worked out this way, I couldn’t be happier.”

Ian Cole Signs One Year, $3 Million Contract with Tampa Bay Lightning

TAMPA BAY, FL – Two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Ian Cole, has signed a one year, $3 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 33-year-old defenseman had 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 75 regular-season games and two points (one goal, one assist) in 14 Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Carolina Hurricanes last season.

Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (No. 18) of the 2007 NHL Draft, Cole has 165 points (29 goals, 136 assists) in 670 regular-season games for the Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and Blues and 26 points (two goals, 24 assists) in 110 playoff games.

Cole won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

Andrew Copp Signs $28.125 Million Contract with Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT, MI – Andrew Copp signed a five-year, $28.125 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $5.625 million.

The 28-year-old forward had NHL career highs in goals (21), assists (32) and points (53) in 72 regular-season games for the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, including 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 16 games after he was acquired in a trade by the Rangers on March 21.

He had 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Copp said he believes Detroit can be successful soon.

Edmonton Oilers sign Jack Campbell to five-year contract

EDMONTON, AB – The Oilers have signed goaltender Jack Campbell to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million, the team announced Wednesday.

The 30-year-old has recorded a 71-39-14 record in 135 career NHL games with nine shutouts, a 2.53 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. With the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, Campbell collected a 31-9-6 mark with five shutouts, a 2.64 GAA and .914 save percentage.

The Port Huron, Mich. native was selected 11th overall by the Dallas Stars at the 2010 NHL Draft.