The New York Rangers have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL. Most Rangers fans know about Nils Lundkvist, Braden Schneider, and Matthew Robertson. I wanted to talk about some of the other up and coming prospects the Rangers have. First guy I want to spotlight is Jake Elmer. I was lucky enough to have him on my podcast, The Broadway Hat Podcast this last week so go check that out!
Jake was an undrafted Free Agent that signed a three year entry deal with the Rangers in 2019. Before we talk about Jake’s on ice performance check out this little highlight wheel I put together for him.
Have you listened to this weeks episode with @NYRangers prospect @JakeElmer59? This kids a stud check out the highlight reel. https://t.co/ZAu0ugGuQI #NYR #NHL #StanleyCup #HockeyTwitter @WolfPackAHL @JaxIcemen @MarinersOfMaine @WHLHurricanes pic.twitter.com/w0gc7ecJ4M
— The Broadway Hat Podcast (@Broadwayhatpod) June 18, 2021
He can score, fight, and play a 200 foot game.
WHL
Elmer got off to a slow start in the WHL. He split his first two seasons in the league between the Regina Pats and the Kootenay Ice (now known as the Winnipeg Ice). Where he started to take off was with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in his third WHL season. Elmer put up 18 goals during the regular season and then lit it up in the playoffs. Putting up 13 points in 16 playoffs games and then took that momentum into his fourth and final season.
In his final season he lead Lethbridge in goals with 39, while finishing 3rd on the team in points with 81. Elmer posted a 13 game goal streak, which was tied for the longest goal streak in the WHL since the 1996-97 season. He also lead the WHL in shorthanded goals. Following his fantastic season he was received three awards from the team, Three Stars Award, Fan Favorite Award, and Community Relations Award.
New York Rangers Organization
After Lethbridge was eliminated from the playoffs Elmer jumped right into the lineup with the Rangers AHL affiliate, Hartford Wolf Pack. Jake played the final 5 games of the season and scored twice while also assisting on two more. Quite the pro start.
To kick off his first full pro season he was named to the Rangers prospect team at the Traverse City tournament. Elmer served as an assistant captain for the team and played well. Following the tournament he was invited to New York Rangers training camp. After a strong training camp Elmer suited up in one preseason game against the New Jersey Devils. Here is a clip of him talking about that experience.
Awesome clip from this weeks episode with @JakeElmer59 talking about suiting up for the @NYRangers last preseason. Check out the full interview here: https://t.co/ZAu0ugGuQI #NYR #NHL #StanleyCup #HockeyTwitter @BellyUpSports pic.twitter.com/kKHZ4SoDNf
— The Broadway Hat Podcast (@Broadwayhatpod) June 17, 2021
In his first year he spent time with both Hartford the Rangers ECHL affiliate, Maine Mariners. With Maine he showcased that great scoring touch netting 12 goals in 36 games. He was also named to the ECHL All-Star game where he had a goal and assist in the game.
This last season, his second full pro year he started the season with the Wolf Pack. After not seeing much action he was loaned out to the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL. Maine did not play this year due to covid, so the Rangers needed to loan players to other franchises. Jake played 35 games for the Icemen putting up 12 points. As he said in the interview it wasn’t his best statistical season but he felt he really improved as a complete hockey player.
Player to watch
Elmer is a guy that can play up and down the lineup which in my opinion makes him a player to keep an eye on. He can play both special teams and can play a bottom 6 role. He isn’t afraid to drop the gloves and plays with an edge. Which I think is the type of player the Rangers are looking to add to the roster. Hopefully we see Jake back in Rangers camp in September and back in a Rangers jersey soon.
Be sure to bookmark our hockey page for hockey coverage and follow Belly Up Hockey on Twitter: @BellyUpHockey. Follow me on Twitter for more takes on the New York Rangers and USA Hockey: @KHallNY. You can also listen to my NY Rangers podcast The Broadway Hat Podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify for Rangers news and interviews with past and current players.
