3. Joey Keane, RHD
Keane, an overager, was selected by the Rangers in the third round of this year’s NHL Entry Draft.
The Chicago, Illinois native spent the last two seasons with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. This past season, Keane was named an alternate captain, which fits the Rangers search for young leaders.
In 62 games, Keane registered 12 goals and 32 assists in 62 games and notched seven assists in 12 playoff games.
Keane is a slick puck moving defender who is one of the more underrated passing defenseman in the draft. His small frame of 6-feet, 180 lbs, along with being an overager, presumably worried some teams in the draft but the Rangers took a chance on him anyway.
Keane was perceived to be a bit of a reach going in the third round but once you get to day two of the draft, everyone’s draft list is extremely different so if the Rangers really liked him, then he’s a fine pick in the late third round.
He’s probably a few years away from playing in the league and will likely play with the Wolf Pack next season.