FINALLY FAHEY

The NY Rangers have another face for the Wolf Pack next season. Brian Fahey will look to play the role that Andrew Hutchinson held last season. He is an offensive d-man with excellent experience. Fahey was a key player in the Chicago Wolves run to the Calder Cup this past season. He has impressive AHL stats and will play a key role in assisting the development of the Pack's younger defense corps.

The voice of the Wolf Pack, Bob Crawford says, "I don’t know a ton about him, but you look at his numbers and the success he’s had in the post-season, and I’d say that’s a great veteran signing for the organization, definitely. And our trainer, Damien Hess, was with Atlantic City when Brian was there, and Damien says he’s an excellent player and a great guy."

Here's the official release:

RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FREE AGENT DEFENSEMAN BRIAN FAHEY New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Brian Fahey.

Fahey, 27, skated in 76 games with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL) this past season, registering 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points, along with 123 penalty minutes and a plus-13 rating. He ranked third on the team among defensemen in goals (14) and points (37). He also finished third on the club with 123 penalty minutes and seventh with a plus-13 rating. In addition, Fahey notched two goals and eight assists for 10 points, along with 24 penalty minutes in 24 post-season contests to help the Wolves capture the 2008 Calder Cup championship. He tied for second on the team in assists by a defenseman (eight), and finished fourth on the club in goals by a defensemen (two) during the playoffs.

The 6-1, 215-pounder has skated in 249 career AHL games with the Worcester IceCats, Hershey Bears, Iowa Stars, and Chicago Wolves, recording 31 goals and 57 assists for 88 points, along with 298 penalty minutes. In 2006-07, Fahey finished third among Wolves defensemen with a plus-17 rating. He was awarded the 2007 Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award, given annually to the Wolves player who best typifies the on-ice spirit and team-first attitude of Tim Breslin. In addition, Fahey has appeared in 46 career AHL post-season contests with Iowa and Chicago, collecting five goals and 11 assists for 16 points, along with 52 penalty minutes.

The Glenview, Illinois native was originally Colorado’s fourth round selection, 119th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

(Brian Fahey photo courtesy of Chicagowolves.com)

Comments

[Jxmarts]

I've been assuming that Thomas Pock & Corey Potter would vie for the Ranger's seventh defensman position, but Brian Fahey's AHL numbers were so solid last year. He was likely brought in to replace Hutchinson as the Pack's #1 D-man, but I wonder if he's in the mix for the big club as well...