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New York Rangers Daily Dose: Prospect Iverson Hoping Fresh Start

By Patrick Comia

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Welcome back, New York Rangers fans.

Here is what we have to share with you all, today:

Rangers prospect looking for fresh start- BLUESHIRTSUNITED.COM

Portland Winterhawks power forward Keegan Iverson is looking for a fresh start this season.

Drafted in 2014 by the Rangers in the third round, the 6’1 forward “…wasn’t in the right spot at the right time,” last season. He recently sat down with Matt Calamia to talk about his 2014-2015 season and how things needed to change.

In the article, Iverson took advantage of the holiday break last December to reevaluate his overall game, and rethink his contributions to his Winterhawks teammates. At the time, Iverson struggled in the first half of the season with just 12 points and a -8 goal differential.

It was then, he decided to change things up and rethink his abilities as a player. Returning to his home in St. Louis Park, MN, Iverson was able to get away from the pressures of hockey and be in a comfortable place with family and friends.

Upon his return for the second half of the season for Portland, Iverson blitzed through the competition, putting up a stretch of at least 18 points in 19 games from late December through March. That included a stretch of four games, where Iverson scored a goal.

Further in Matt Calamia’s article, he quotes the Winterhawks head coach Jamie Kompon on Iverson’s play:

"It’s the consistency shift in and shift out…We all understand that hockey is a game of errors, but you have to minimize your bad shifts. That’s going to be really important for Keegan. He’s a power forward. He has to play that style"

Later this month at the Traverse City Tournament, Iverson will have the opportunity to show off his ‘new found’ game, as one of the Rangers invitees. He has the eye of Gordie Clark, Rangers Director of Player Personnel, who had this to say:

"He’s your prototypical third-line player with size. His skating is good now, but he has to get a step in his feet…He can really surprise you with the shot from the wing…He has to play a physical game"

With former Rangers captain Chris Drury added to the fold as Director of Player Development, his experience at the NHL level should help prospects like Iverson reach the NHL level, or at least make a strong case of making it to the big club.

Iverson added, “I’m looking forward to making a statement in Traverse City.” If he succeeds and impresses enough, we could be seeing him making the jump to Hartford to help further his development!

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Thanks for reading today. See you all tomorrow for another edition of the Dose.

Next: Jersey Guide 2015 - Part Two

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