Forward Jayson Megna Signs with Rangers

Jul 1, 2015

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent forward Jayson Megna.

Megna, 25, split this past season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). He tallied one assist and recorded 14 penalty minutes in 12 games with Pittsburgh. Megna registered 40 hits and was credited with eight blocked shots in 12 contests with the Penguins, and he notched an assist on the game-winning goal on December 2 vs. New Jersey.

In 63 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this past season, the 6-1, 195-pounder registered 26 goals and 13 assists for 39 points, along with a plus-18 rating and 40 penalty minutes. Megna established AHL career-highs in games played, goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, power play goals (five), and shots on goal (134). He led the team in goals, tied for third on the team in power play goals, and ranked fifth in points and plus/minus rating. Megna also tallied five points (one goal, four assists) in eight playoff games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He ranked third on the team in assists and tied for third on the team in points in the playoffs.

Megna has skated in 48 career NHL games over parts of two seasons, both with Pittsburgh, registering five goals and five assists for 10 points, along with 20 penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut on October 25, 2013 vs. the NY Islanders, and recorded his first career NHL goal, assist, and point in his second career NHL game on October 28, 2013 at Carolina. In addition, Megna has skated in two career NHL playoff games, and he made his NHL playoff debut in Game 3 of the First Round at Columbus on April 21, 2014.

In 144 career AHL games, Megna has registered 40 goals and 26 assists for 66 points, along with a plus-19 rating and 72 penalty minutes. Over the last two seasons, he has tallied 54 points (35 goals, 19 assists) and has posted a plus-31 rating in 88 AHL games. Megna has also skated in 33 career AHL playoff games, registering four goals and nine assists for 13 points, along with six penalty minutes.

Prior to joining the professional ranks, Megna played one season of collegiate hockey with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During his freshman season in 2011-12, Megna registered 13 goals and 18 assists for 31 points, along with a plus-13 rating and 27 penalty minutes. Megna was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team, as he led Nebraska-Omaha in plus/minus rating and ranked third on the team in goals, assists, and points.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native is one of seven players in NHL history who were born in Florida.

Megna was originally signed by Pittsburgh as a free agent on August 1, 2012.