The New York Rangers, parent club of the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, announced today that the club has acquired forward Brian Boyle from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Boyle, 24, was originally Los Angeles’ first-round choice, 26th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in 28 games with the Kings last season, registering four goals and one assist for five points, along with 42 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in games played (28) and penalty minutes (42).
Boyle notched three goals in a four-game span from Mar. 28 (at Nashville) to Apr. 4 (vs. Phoenix). The Hingham, Mass., native also skated in 42 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, recording 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points, along with 73 penalty minutes.
Boyle collected two points (one goal, one assist) in his season debut with the Monarchs on Dec. 5 vs. Worcester. In addition, Boyle posted two separate four-game scoring streaks – Dec. 13 (vs. Providence) to Dec. 17 (at Manitoba) and Mar. 4 (vs. Springfield) to Mar. 8 (at Worcester).
The 6-foot-7, 252-pounder has skated in 36 career NHL games with Los Angeles, recording eight goals and two assists for 10 points, along with 46 penalty minutes. He registered two points (1g, 1a) and a plus-two rating in his NHL debut on Feb. 2, 2008, at New Jersey.
Boyle has also appeared in 114 career AHL contests with Manchester, collecting 41 goals and 42 assists for 83 points, along with 162 penalty minutes. In 2007-08, he established AHL career-highs in games played (70), goals (31), assists (31), points (62), and penalty minutes (87). That year, he led the Monarchs in goals, ranked second on the team in points and fourth in assists. His 31 goals also led all AHL rookies and ranked 10th in the league overall, while he finished second in the league among rookies with 62 points. Boyle was named to the 2008 AHL All-Rookie Team in recognition of his performance.
Boyle, who played four seasons at Boston College, made his professional debut with Manchester at the end of the 2006-07 season and then tallied three goals and five assists for eight points in 16 postseason contests during the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs.
Also on Saturday, the Rangers acquired goaltender Chad Johnson from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fifth-round pick (151st overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Johnson, 23, appeared in 35 games with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks last season, registering a 14-16-5 mark with a 1.66 goals-against average.
The Calgary, Alta., native was originally Pittsburgh’s fifth-round choice, 125th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
