July 4, 2009

Higgins Excited About Joining Rangers

The following article featuring former Yale standout Chris Higgins appeared July 3 on the National Hockey League (NHL) Web site.

 

By John McGourty
NHL.com Staff Writer

Lifelong Montreal Canadiens fan Chris Higgins is "as excited as I've heard anyone about getting traded here," New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather said about the Long Island-born left winger he acquired Tuesday in a blockbuster trade with Montreal for center Scott Gomez.

"I was absolutely thrilled," Higgins said. "If there was one place I would play besides Montreal, it would be with the Rangers, in front of my family and friends. Most of my family lives in the city so it's a dream come true for me as well."

The Rangers traded center Gomez, center Tom Pyatt (a fourth-round pick in 2005) and unsigned defenseman Michael Busto to Montreal for Higgins, the Canadiens' first-round pick, No. 14, in the 2002 Entry Draft. The Rangers also received University of Wisconsin tri-captain Ryan McDonagh, the Canadiens' first-round pick, No. 12, in the 2007 Entry Draft, and Pavel Valentenko, whom the Canadiens took in the fifth round, No. 139, in the 2006 Entry Draft. The Canadiens also traded the rights to free-agent defenseman Doug Janik. Those rights expired at noon Wednesday and Sather said Janik is a free agent.

Complete article can be accessed via the NHL Web site by clicking here.