Rangers Trade Brian Fahey to Colorado

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Nigel Williams from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Brian Fahey.

Williams, 21, skated in 70 games with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, registering seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points, along with 55 penalty minutes. The rookie defenseman ranked seventh on the team overall and second among Lake Erie defensemen in points. He also tied for the team lead among defensemen in goals scored. Williams posted a season-high, three-game point streak from January 10 against Hamilton to January 13 vs. Quad City, collecting three points (one goal and two assists) over the span. He also recorded his first career multi-point performance with two assists on March 28 at Syracuse. Williams notched a goal in his professional debut on October 11 against Grand Rapids.

The 6-4, 226-pounder skated in 113 career regular season contests with the Saginaw Spirit and Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) prior to turning pro, registering 32 goals and 50 assists for 82 points, along with 192 penalty minutes. In 2007-08, Williams split the season between Saginaw and Belleville, and established OHL career-highs in games played (67), assists (31) and points (46). As an OHL rookie in 2006-07, he set a career mark with 17 goals. In addition, Williams has collected 21 points (nine goals and 12 assists) in 27 career OHL playoff contests with Saginaw and Belleville. He tied for fourth on the Bulls in playoff assists (11) and points (18), and tied for fifth on the team in goals (seven) during the 2008 OHL Playoffs.

Williams also skated with the U.S. National Under-18 Development Team during the 2005-06 season, registering three goals and four assists for seven points, along with 23 penalty minutes in 19 games.

The Aurora, Illinois native was originally Colorado's second round choice, 51st overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Fahey, 28, appeared in 66 games with the Wolf Pack last season, collecting four goals and 20 assists for 24 points, along with 67 penalty minutes.