Rangers Sign Jason Ward and Ville Nieminen

[VodkaFish]

New York - New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent forwards Jason Ward and Ville Nieminen.

“Jason has proven to be a strong character player who can fill multiple roles,” stated Sather. “He has demonstrated his scoring ability at the AHL level and we feel he can come in and contribute both offensively and defensively for us.”

Ward, 26, appeared in 77 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, registering 20 goals and 34 assists for 54 points, along with 66 penalty minutes. His 54 points and 34 assists ranked second on the club, while his 20 goals ranked third. In four post-season contests, he tallied two goals and one assist for the Bulldogs.

The 6-3, 203-pounder has appeared in 110 career NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, registering 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points, along with 43 penalty minutes. His best NHL campaign came in 2003-04 when he skated in 53 contests for the Canadiens, recording five goals and seven assists for 12 points, all career bests. Ward has also skated in 296 career games with Fredericton Canadiens, Quebec Citadelles and Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, registering 97 goals and 135 assists for 232 points, along with 390 penalty minutes. He established professional career bests in 2002-03 with Hamilton, collecting 31 goals and 41 assists for 72 points. Following the season, Ward was named the AHL’s MVP and a First Team All-Star. He also participated in the 2003 AHL All-Star Classic. During the 2003 Calder Cup Playoffs, he ranked first in the AHL in scoring with 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points in 23 post-season contests, leading Hamilton to the Calder Cup Final.

Internationally, Ward has represented Canada in several tournaments, including the 1998 and 1999 World Junior Championships, capturing a silver medal in 1999.

The Chapleau, Ontario native was Montreal’s first choice, 11th overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

“Ville is a hard working player who competes every shift,” stated Sather. “He is difficult to play against and relentless when it comes to pressuring the puck and frustrating the opposition. We’re excited to add his grit and determination to our lineup.”

Nieminen, 28, appeared in 26 games with Tappara Tempere in the SM – Liiga (Finland) last season, registering 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points, along with 32 penalty minutes. His 14 goals and 27 points ranked third on the team, while his point-per-game ratio led the club. In eight post-season contests, Nieminen led his club in scoring, collecting two goals and four assists for six points. The Tampere, Finland native also represented Finland at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

A veteran of five NHL seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames, Nieminen has skated in 271 career NHL games, registering 39 goals and 52 assists for 91 points, along with 227 penalty minutes. In 2003-04, he combined to play in 79 games with Chicago and Calgary, totaling five goals and 16 assists for 21 points, along with 58 penalty minutes. On February 24, 2004, he was traded to the Calgary Flames from Chicago in exchange for Jason Morgan and a conditional draft pick.

The 6-0, 210-pounder has also appeared in 47 career playoff contests with Colorado and Calgary, registering eight goals and ten assists for 18 points, along with 75 penalty minutes. In addition, Nieminen was a key member of Calgary’s 2003-04 Western Conference championship team, appearing in 24 post-season contests, collecting four goals and four assists. Along with being a member of Team Finland at the 2004 World Cup, he represented his country at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Nieminen was originally Colorado’s fourth choice, 78th overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Rick Berry, from Colorado in exchange for Darius Kasparaitis on March 19, 2002. On July 29, 2003, the Chicago Blackhawks signed him as a free agent. Chicago then dealt him to the Calgary Flames on February 24, 2004, in exchange for Jason Morgan and a conditional draft pick.

[Thrillhouse]

I loved Ville in Calgary...good pick up for the Rangers. (I can't believe I just said that )

[Brash_Fan]

Nieminen is a a nice signing by the Rags, they need character players with big harts.

[Humpzilla]

Nieminen will fit in perfectly with Purinton and the Rangers. Especially when they have to face Eric Cairns and the Florida Panthers. I can just imagine the cheap shotting at the end of each game

[Jethro 9]

yep these 2 are the last 2 pieces of the puzzle...i smell a cup....no, I just farted. Clueless Glen strikes again!!!!!

[BroadwayBlueshirts94]

I like Ville but he's gonna take a spot in the lineup Garth Murray should get. Jason Ward Feh he sucks.

[bigjack]

Christ the Rangers may go to one of the lowest teams under the cap. Wouldn't that be funny if Pittsburgh spends more than NY.
Sather did say yesterday that he wants to save room under the cap for next season so his "stategic plan" is in the works!
It will be interesting what Renney's final product will look like in October! Who knows maybe it will be like Ted Sator's 1985-86 team that had a bunch of kids and some unknowns like Mike Ridley.
I'm trying to remain positive.

[xELi]

Originally Posted by Jethro 9

yep these 2 are the last 2 pieces of the puzzle...i smell a cup....no, I just farted. Clueless Glen strikes again!!!!!

hahahahha

[devils29]

I enjoyed watching Ville's cheap shots in the finals last season.

I'd love to know what Sather's "strategic plan" is..... Actually probably best I don't. I'd probably wet myself laughing.

[AvsFanatic]

Ville was one of my favorite Avs agitators and was a bit bummed when he left. He's a hard working pain in the ass, who's always smiling. Not great at anything in particular, but has some decent speed and skill. He'll go to the net as hard as anyone, and isn't affraid to mix it up a bit. He can defineitly get a game going as everyone saw a glimps of last year in the playoffs. He's also very personal with the media, and says some funny stuff. I think this is a solid pickup for the Rangers IMO. I'd take him back on my team FO SHO!

Can't remember where I saw it, but a funny story he told about going to Pitts and talking to Mario and saying something like, "Wow, your still playing in the league?" and Mario responded by saying, "Who are you?"

[LemonLalime]

Originally Posted by VodkaFish

Nieminen, 28, appeared in 26 games with Tappara Tempere in the SM – Liiga (Finland) last season, registering 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points, along with 32 penalty minutes. His 14 goals and 27 points ranked third on the team, while his point-per-game ratio led the club. In eight post-season contests, Nieminen led his club in scoring, collecting two goals and four assists for six points. The Tampere, Finland native also represented Finland at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Those stats really don't tell the whole story, because Tappara were mid-table last season and it was not one of the best seasons in recent history.

[lgbar75]

Sather's "big Plans" involved making runs at guys like Jatrome Iginla, Vincent Lecavalier and Joe Thornton, who were all scheduled to be free agents after the upcoming season.

Of course, the plan already has a monkey wrench thrown in now that Iginla has signed a big extension to remain in Calgary. F***ing figures!

I do like the Ville Nieminen signing. He should be a force as a 3rd-4th line checker/agitator.