With their fourth-round pick (106th overall), the New York Rangers have selected center Michael St. Croix out of the Western Hockey League. St. Croix had 27 goals, 48 assists and 48 penalty minutes in 68 games for the Edmonton Oil Kings last season, and is the third straight centerman that the Blueshirts have picked in this draft.
Scouting report on St. Croix from THN:
His statistics and achievements speak for themselves, but the essence to St. Croix’s unique game is his style of play. A playmaker and goal-scorer, he believes a big part of his game involves his vision, which contributes to his impressive offensive abilities.
St. Croix is able to set up plays and get passes through the narrowest of lanes, but most importantly he positions himself perfectly to finish the play. At the same time, his vision grants him the confidence to get fancy with the puck and put on a show.
Although St. Croix’s game is unique, he finds similarities in other players.
“Patrice Bergeron has awesome vision,” St. Croix said. “He’s not the fastest guy out there, but he competes, he’s a leader, he makes plays, he scores and he’s reliable defensively. I think a guy like that is someone who I would like to mould my game after.”
I've heard nothing but good things about St. Croix so this looks like a solid pick by the Rangers in the fourth round. You can follow Michael on Twitter, too: @stixy18
LET'S SEE..WE GIVE UP ON A 21 YEAR OLD, 6'4" CENTER IN Evgeny Grachev...GOOD...REAL GOOD..ANOTHER (TIME WILL TELL DECISION HUH)??? FOR A FRESH OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL KID..THOUGHT EVGENY WAS JUST ABOUT READY TO CRACK THE LINEUP..UNREAL..
Posted by: matt | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 01:18 PM
oh and did i mention Evgeny Grachev is 225lbs???
Posted by: matt | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 01:18 PM
I'm with you on this all the way Matt,just when you think they're ready to turn the corner,they come up with the dumbest trade. This have absolutely blows my mind. Like my son said when we found out.J.D. said to himself,Sather is clueless bafoon let me pick his pocket and he did. Good for St.Louis and a sad day for ranger fans.
Posted by: svrangersfan | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 01:37 PM
I want an explanation from the Rangers for this trade, because at the moment it doesn't make much sense. Grachev had very high potential.
Posted by: Nick Montemagno | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 02:06 PM
I have always looked forward to the draft and this year was no exception, but the Rangers Management, Sather, Gordie Clarke, the Dali Tortorlama and the rest blew this big time. They will come up all sorst of bullshit excuses, no reasons but excuses for the disaster they called a draft. Okay the got Erixxon for Horak and 2nd rounders. they will say this was a top 10 pick and maybe he would have been but the rest of their draft sucked big time. I know drafts are mostly a crapshoot if your not picking in the top 5-7 most of the time but this is a team that needs scoring and failed utterly failed to improve in that area when they had the chance to do just that. They took Miller when ther was Armia, McNeil and Biggs on the board a effin joke!
They they trade a possibly 30-35 goal scored for THIS season but probably no later than next for Grachev for a HIGH SCHOOLER! Are you kidding me a high schooler? If he decides to go to college for 4 years what then? While Grachev is pumping in 30+ a year we will be sitting around waiting for this kids acne to clear up. this was a big, big disapounment! If they had a owner who had a clue they would all be fired today!!
Posted by: JohnP | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 02:43 PM
I truly don't want Brad Richards on this team. He'll be nothing but a strain on the cap for years to come AND he'll most likely either by a 20 goal scorer or get concussed and be out..another drury/gomez. 40yrs of watchin this team/same old sht diff draft. Hope and pray Toronto goes after him
Posted by: matt | Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 04:15 PM