McIlrath Re-ups with Rangers
Jul 15, 2015New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with restricted free agent defenseman Dylan McIlrath.
McIlrath, 23, skated in 73 games with the Wolf Pack this past season, registering six goals and 11 assists for 17 points, along with a plus-five rating and 165 penalty minutes. McIlrath established AHL career-highs in games played and shots on goal (78), and tied AHL career-highs in goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (two), and penalty minutes in 2014-15. McIlrath led Hartford in penalty minutes and tied for fourth on the team in games played. In addition, he ranked second among team defensemen in games played and goals. McIlrath skated in 15 playoff games with Hartford, registering two assists and posting a plus-two rating. He established AHL playoff career-highs in games played, assists, points, and plus/minus rating. McIlrath notched his first career AHL playoff assist/point on Apr. 22 vs. Providence.
The 6-5, 230-pounder has skated in 182 career AHL games over parts of five seasons, all with the Whale/Wolf Pack, registering 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points, along with a plus-13 rating and 462 penalty minutes. McIlrath has posted a plus/minus rating of plus-two or better in each of the last three seasons, and he leads Whale/Wolf Pack defensemen in plus/minus rating (plus-14) over the span. He has recorded six goals, 11 assists, 17 points, and 165 penalty minutes in each of the last two seasons. McIlrath has notched two assists, a plus-one rating, and 32 penalty minutes in 20 career AHL playoff contests.
McIlrath also skated in one game with the Rangers in 2014-15. He tied for the team-high with three blocked shots and was credited with two hits on Nov. 3, 2014 vs. St. Louis. McIlrath has skated in three career NHL games, all with the Rangers, and has registered 16 penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut on Dec. 12, 2013 vs. Columbus.
Prior to beginning his professional career, McIlrath played four seasons of junior hockey with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL). In 232 career games with Moose Jaw, McIlrath registered 16 goals and 58 assists for 74 points, along with a plus-five rating and 551 penalty minutes. In addition, he skated in 27 career WHL playoff games, recording seven assists and 48 penalty minutes.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was originally selected by the Rangers in the first round, 10th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.