For the Reporter
Seattle Thunderbirds left wing Ryan Gropp has signed a three-year entry level contract with the NHL’s New York Rangers.
“We are excited for Ryan to reach this goal in his career,” said T-Birds general manager Russ Farwell. “He has been working hard to get his game ready for the pro level and it’s great to see him rewarded in this way.”
The Rangers selected Gropp in the second round, 41st overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft in Sunrise, Fla.
Gropp is averaging a point a game for the T-Birds with 32 points on 18 goals and 14 assists. in 32 games. Last season Gropp led the T-Birds in scoring with 30 goals and 28 assists for 58 points in 67 games. In 158 games over three seasons, Gropp has 66 goals and 66 assists for 132 points with 90 penalty minutes.
The T-Birds took Gropp with the sixth overall selection in the 2011 Bantam Draft.
Gropp, from Kamloops, British Columbia, is the third T-Bird that has signed with a NHL team. Center Mathew Barzal signed with the New York Islanders on Sept. 9 and right wing Keegan Kolesar signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 20. All three players were selected in the 2015 NHL Draft.
The T-Birds play their annual New Year’s Eve game with the Portland Winterhawks at 7:30 tonight at the Moda Center.
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