Matt Bodie Signs Contract With New York Rangers

Not only is Matt Bodie the captain of the best NCAA hockey team in the nation, he is now a member of the playoff bound New York Rangers. The Rangers and Bodie agreed to an entry level contract on Tuesday.

The 24 year old defenceman was playing in his final year with Union College when he led the team to their first national

photo courtesy of Union College Flickr

title in school history. He scored the 7th goal to ice the game in an open net. He racked up 39 points in 40 games with Union this year.

Matt Bodie had a fantastic tournament with Union and had a few NHL teams buzzing with interest in the defenceman. Unfortunately for Bodie, his contract with the Rangers doesn’t kick in until next season so he will not be joining the playoff bound Rangers right away. He’s a defenceman with a knack for offence and ability to lead a team.

He’s drawing early comparisons to Matt Gilroy who the Rangers signed out of Boston University. Gilroy didn’t last in New York off the bat and found himself playing for the Florida Panthers. He is currently playing for the Panthers AHL team, the San Antonio Rampage.

Gilroy was thought of to be a can’t miss NHL player having won the Hobey Baker in his senior year and the Rangers wanted him badly. Rangers are hoping Bodie pans out a little better than the Rangers last big college signing. Bodie’s pride and passion for the game and his teammates come through when he steps on the ice, he might be short but he can play.

At 6 feet tall Bodie is a little small for an NHL defenceman, however, he is a fantastic skater with an excellent and quick shot from the point. He is by no means a lock to make the Rangers next season, but he could challenge for a spot on their blue line for sure.