3 Stars Of The Week: North American Edition – Week 7
Ty Ronning/Vancouver Giants
Prospects are the lifeblood of any organization. Some pan out and some don’t, but what all of these prospects share is a dream and a vision to the National Hockey League. The Rangers have prospects all over the world, but here we’ll focus on the North American prospects in another edition of 3 Stars Of The Week, North American prospects edition.
3rd Star: Tyler Nanne, D/C, Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA)
The young forward/defenseman and cousin to current Ranger Vinni Lettieri, registered a goal and posted a plus-minus rating of +1 rating on Feb. 10 at Wisconsin. Nanne has recorded two points (1G, 1A) and a plus-minus rating of +3 in his last four contests. He has tallied 10 points (4G, 6A) in 32 games with the Minnesota Golden Gophers during this campaign.
2nd Star: Timothy Gettinger, LW, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
The tall and lanky forward from the OHL is having a nice campaign for himself this season. Gettinger has recorded 55 points (29G, 26A) and a plus-minus rating of +26 with the Sault Ste. Marie this season. Gettinger also leads the team in shots on goal, is tied for the team lead in GWG (seven) and shorthanded goals (five), and ranks third in goals and points in the current campaign
He’s registered three points (1G, 2A), including a shorthanded goal, and posted a plus-minus rating of +4 on Feb. 10 at Erie versus the Otters. Gettinger has tallied a point in 8 of the last 12 contests he’s played in (8G, 7A) and has registered a point in 14 of the last 20 games, accumulating 23 points (12G, 11A) over this time period.
1st Star: Ty Ronning, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
As the days go along, Ty Ronning seems to keep making a mark for himself as a can’t miss prospect for the New York Rangers. Ronning was named CHL Player Of The Week for the week ending February 4th by posting seven points in three contests (5G, 2A) with a plus-minus rating of +3.
During that week, Ronning delivered a trio of multi point performances helping the Giants win all three games versus Calgary and Medicine Hat. He registered two goals, including the game-winning goal in overtime, on Feb. 9 vs. Seattle. Ronning tallied his 48th and 49th goals of the season versus the Thunderbirds, tying and breaking the Vancouver Giants’ single-season record for goals that was previously held by current Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane, who recorded 48 goals in 2008-09.
As mentioned previously, Ronning has scored 49 goals and 19 assists for 68 points in 54 games in this season. He leads the Western Hockey eagueL in shots on goal (273) and ranks second in the league in goals this campaign.
Although he sports a small 5 foot 9 inches frame, Ronning is showing that he can tickle the twine with consistency. Whether this can translate to the NHL level or not, it must be comforting to Rangers brass to see a prospect put up high scoring numbers, especially with the recent news of the team openly welcoming a rebuild. If all goes according to play, and Ronning is able to keep his scoring touch going, expect to see Ronning at Madison Square Garden in the near but not too distant future.
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