Rangers prospect Will Cuylle working towards a call up
The New York Rangers are happy with the progress that prospect Will Cuylle is making with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL. Slowly but surely, he’s starting to show the skillset that made him an 80 point player last year with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires.
In last night’s 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Admirals, Cuylle scored his team leading 7th goal of the season, added an assist, then scored the decisive goal in the shootout. The tally that came in the second period was his third in the last four games.
“I’ve just been trying to improve every game,” Cuylle said in late November. “I’m trying to figure out my place and how I can be successful in this league. I’m just trying to figure it out to get better and better.”
Will Cuylle working his way to the Rangers
The Blueshirts selected Cuylle in the second-round of 2020 Draft after they traded away disgruntled prospect Lias Andersson to the L.A. Kings.
Andersson, whom the Rangers shockingly took 7th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft over players like Casey Middlestadt (8th), Gabriel Vilardi (11th), Martin Necas (12th), and Nick Suzuki (13th), never caught on with the team.
While the 20 year-old Cuylle has yet to play an NHL game, he’s looking like a potential top-nine forward for the Rangers in the near future. A solid move by the organization all things considered.
In his last two pro training camps, the 6-3, 212 pound forward has been extremely noticeable showing a willingness to use his size. He was also impressive for Team Canada helping them win Gold at the World Junior Championships by registering 4 points in 7 matches playing a limited role this past summer.
“It was a great experience and to win gold was a huge honor,” Cuylle said. “It’s something I’ll remember for awhile. Being able to play a tournament in August really helps jumpstart the season for me.”
This season, Cuylle is tied for the Wolf Pack lead in scoring with 12 points in 23 games. His 56 shots on goal place him second on the team and he’s amassed 19 penalty minutes.
“The way I play, fast and physical is important on any line to get in on the forecheck,” he told us after being drafted. “Separate guys from the puck and make simple plays…so whether that’s me being on the 3rd of the 4th line as an energy guy or on the first or the second line scoring goals using my body strategically.”
If Cuylle continues his current rate of development, a call up this season isn’t out of the question. As he continues to adjust to the AHL size and speed it will only add to his ever-growing confidence.
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