A Yarmouth native is hoping to make the jump to the NHL.
Defenseman Ryan Graves is in the ‘Big Apple’ for New York Rangers training camp.
OFFICIAL: #NYR announce 2016 Training Camp Roster. 63 players participating in #NYRTC. pic.twitter.com/f6Fkc2YKkB
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 21, 2016
A 2013 draft pick of New York, Graves played last season for the Rangers farm team, the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.
He impressed many and was a regular for the Wolf Pack on the blue-line, and even won the Hardest Shot Competition at all-star weekend.
Graves says he’s staying focused heading into Rangers camp.
“I’m just looking to come in and have a good camp. Not sure what will happen, there are a lot of defensemen here. I’m just looking to have a good camp, hopefully make a good impression and see what happens.”
In 2010-2011 he had a very brief stint with the Yarmouth Junior A Mariners.
He says he’s been down a lot of roads, but making the jump to the AHL last year was a big step.
“A little different last year with the older guys around. You can learn a lot from them. Last year I played with (Raphael) Diaz, who has played a lot of games in the NHL. I learned a lot from him. Every step along the way I want to keep improving.”
Off-ice conditioning was held yesterday, and the on-ice workouts begin today.
Rangers Head Coach Alain Vigneault says there will be opportunities for young defenseman at camp.
The Rangers play their first pre-season game Tuesday against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden.
