Rangers Agree to Terms With Corey Locke

[Thrillhouse]

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent forward Corey Locke.

Locke, 25, skated in 77 games with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, registering 25 goals and 54 assists for 79 points, along with 60 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in assists and points. Locke ranked among the league leaders in several statistical categories, ranking fourth in assists, tied for seventh in points and tied for 13th in power play goals (13). He also tied for the AHL lead with 29 power play assists.

Locke led the Aeros in assists, points and power play goals, and finished second on the team in goals. In addition, he recorded a team-high, 23 multi-point performances, including a four-point effort on October 18 vs. San Antonio (two goals and two assists). Locke registered a career-high, 10-game scoring streak from March 1 at Milwaukee to March 25 at Milwaukee, collecting 12 points (four goals and eight assists) over the span.

In 2007-08, Locke established a career-high in goals (30), while leading Hamilton (AHL) in goals, assists (42) and points (72). He tied for 11th in the AHL in goals and points. He also tied the AHL season-high, and set a new career-high, for points in a game with six points on April 9 against Rochester (three goals and three assists). In addition, Locke made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens on January 8 vs. Chicago.

The 5-9, 175-pound forward has skated in 390 career AHL games in five seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Houston Aeros, registering 110 goals and 198 assists for 308 points, along with 251 penalty minutes. The three-time AHL All-Star (2006, 2008 and 2009) is Hamilton’s all-time leader in goals (85), assists (144) and points (229).

In addition, Locke has skated in 46 AHL postseason contests with Hamilton and Houston, collecting 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points, along with 44 penalty minutes. Last season, Locke established career-highs in playoff goals (12) and points (23) while skating in 20 games for Houston. In 2007, he led Hamilton to the Calder Cup Championship, setting the franchise record for most points in a single postseason (22).

[The Crow]

This kid was a hell of a player and lit it up last year in the AHL. It's going to be interesting to see what he can do in the NHL on a regular basis if that opportunity presents itself.

[PotvinSucks]

5'9 175?

I sh*t bigger than him.

Seems to be able to put up some points though. We'll see how he develops.

[MattyD2008]

Originally Posted by PotvinSucks

5'9 175?

I sh*t bigger than him.

Seems to be able to put up some points though. We'll see how he develops.

That's smaller than Callahan's listing at 5'11" 195lbs.

[NYR36]

I hope he can skate like the wind. no Nigel Dawes please.

[Killah_punk]

He put up some big numbers in the OHL, but i guess his size has limited his chances of playing in the NHL.

[bigjack]

In today's NHL, size doesn't matter-sorry ladies! Look at the top scorers from each team and how many are under 200 lbs! So much for a 1960's to 80's player not being able to play today because they were under 200 lbs!
It's a big jump from the AHL to the NHL so I'd be careful seeing his numbers and expecting great things!
Remember when Don Biggs scored like 140 points in Binghamton for the Rangers top farmclub like 15 years ago and not even a sniff at the NHL level or that Giroux guy from a few years back who was a 30 goal man in Hartford and had good size and nowhere near the Rangers!

[paint huffer]

Locke absolutely dominated the OHL and statistically dominated the entire CHL when he was with the Ottawa 67's, but due to his size he hasn't got a fair shake at the NHL level as of yet. The Rags have given some smaller guys a chance as of late (Callahan, Prucha, etc) so hopefully Locke will get a shot with the Blue Shirts.

[ChiefJunior]

I believe at one time, he was a MTL prospect. Watch him turn into a productive player.. just what MTL needs.