2010 draft pick Jason Wilson today signed with the Rangers. Wilson signed following a very successful season with the Niagara Ice Dogs in the OHL. Not just thanks to a deep playoff run but also personally (statistically), it was a successful year for Wilson. Wilson registered 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points, along with 94 penalty minutes and an excellent plus-20 rating.  He established career-highs in games played, goals, assists, points, and plus/minus rating.

So what do we know about Wilson and what does it mean? Firstly winger Wilson turned a lot of heads in the Rangers training camp to begin this season. That may have been where the physical Wilson really became a legitimate prospect for the first time. Many wouldn’t have taken the 2010 5th rounder very seriously prior to camp given that he was an overage draft pick to begin with.

Wilson plays a physical style and best resembles Brandon Prust from the current crop of Rangers. Barring a spectacular pre season Wilson will begin next season with the CT Whale where he will have every chance to succeed, especially if several current Whale players (such as Brodie Dupont and Dale Weise) were to leave. Wilson, being slightly older than your average draftee turning pro, will provide the Whale with energy, physicality, a willingness to fight and also an ability to add offense. This season Wilson surprised many with what many people saw as unexpected offense. Perhaps most intriguingly, Wilson played some of his best hockey this year at the most important time of year – the playoffs. During Niagara’s extended playoff run Wilson grabbed 12 points in 14 games, helping to knock out – among others – Christian Thomas’s Oshawa Generals.

With the trade of Ethan Werek for Oscar Lindberg, the signing of Roman Horak and now the Jason Wilson signing, the Rangers have already made a few moves with an eye on the future. Horak, Lindberg and Wilson may all be suiting up next season in Connecticut, although Lindberg may well stay in the SEL. Either way, Glen Sather and the Rangers are keeping busy ahead of the draft. Wilson, at this stage looks to be another nice late draft addition.

 Update 5:30 (Dave): Just got the press release, you can read it after the jump.

RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD JASON WILSON
New York, May 12, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with forward Jason Wilson.

Wilson, 21, skated in 64 games with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season, registering 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points, along with 94 penalty minutes and a plus-20 rating. He established career-highs in games played, goals, assists, points, and plus/minus rating. He also recorded a career-high, 10 multi-point performances, including three, three-point efforts. Wilson posted 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) and a plus-15 rating in a 16-game span from December 10 at Sudbury to January 28 at Plymouth. In addition, Wilson tallied career-highs with five goals and seven assists for 12 points, along with 19 penalty minutes in 14 playoff contests. He tied for the team lead in penalty minutes, third on Niagara in power play goals (two), fourth in goals, and fifth in points and assists. Wilson tied for the team lead with eight points (three, five assists) in five games to help lead Niagara to a 4-1 series victory vs. Oshawa in their OHL Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. He notched his first career playoff goal in a 5-1 win vs. Brampton on March 29 in Game Three of their first round series.

The 6-3, 208-pounder has skated in 162 career OHL contests with London, Owen Sound and Niagara, registering 47 goals and 48 assists for 95 points, along with 299 penalty minutes and a plus-16 rating. Wilson has registered 29 fights in his three OHL seasons. In 2009-10, he ranked second on Owen Sound with six power play goals and 101 penalty minutes. He tallied a career-high, four points (one goal, three assists) at Oshawa on December 20, 2009, and notched his first career hat trick vs. Sarnia on December 14, 2008 as a rookie. Wilson made his OHL debut with London on September 17, 2008 at Saginaw, and recorded his first career point with a goal on November 7, 2008 vs. Oshawa.

The Richmond Hill, Ontario native was originally the Rangers fifth round choice, 130th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

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