According to the AHL transactions page , the
Rangers have signed 2010 first round pick Dylan McIlrath to an Amateur Tryout
(ATO) agreement with the Connecticut Whale.
Per Brian
Ring McIlrath is expected to report
to the team this week. McIlrath, 18, had
5 goals, 18 assists and 153 penalty minutes in 62 games during the regular
season for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL.
In the playoffs McIlrath was scoreless in their six game first round
defeat to the Kooteany Ice.
The ATO allows McIlrath to play with the team this season
and during the playoffs without having any impact on his entry-level contract
which officially starts next season.
Dylan is allowed to play in the AHL despite being under 20 because his Junior team has finished their season, but next season he will have to either be in the NHL or back in the WHL. Being around the professional game should be a very good experience for
McIlrath and give him another sense of what it will take for him to be a
professional player. Look for Wade
Redden to take McIlrath under his wing as he has done with all the young
defenders for the Whale this season.
