Rangers Rap

Moore mulling things over

Chatted with hotshot American defender John Moore today over the cell phone as I watched a minor pro ball game in Omaha, Nebraska.

You know the story. He's committed to Colorado College. The Rangers are trying to sway him to the OHL.

Columbus took him 21s overall in the NHL draft.

Moore told me today he's gathering facts to make a decision and conferring with his adviser Wade Arnott as well as the Blue Jackets.

He said his decision could come by week's end.

Cornell's loss, Rangers gain

Big forward Ben Thomson will ink with the Rangers tomorrow.

The 6-foot-3 Orangeville kid, 16, is breaking his commitment to go to Cornell University on a hockey scholarship. Rangers got him in the 8th round of the draft.

His older brother Jonathan goes to Cornell on a lacrosse scholarship.

Next up for signing: 3rd round pick Ben Fanelli, a defenceman.

Goalies on the block . . .

Want one?

Take your pick. Owen Sound's Tyler Beskorowany, Barrie's Michael Hutchinson and the Soo's Cody St. Jacques are all available.

The Rangers could use a veteran backup for Brandon Maxwell.

Besko and Hutch are not backups.

Big Jake lands in Guelph

Ex-Ranger Jake Lalonde will play for the U of G Gryphons next season.

The overager came to Kitchener from Windsor at the trade deadline.

OHL grads Tim Priamo, Nathan Martine and Matt Lyall are also committed to play for the Gryphs and ex Storm coach Shawn Camp.

Rangers off to Quebec . . .

. . . for two preseason games in September.

They'll be at the Dave Keon Arena in Rouyn-Noranda to take on the Huskies on the 5th and 6th.

Rangers coach Steve Spott and Huskies coach Andre Tourigny are both on the national junior team coaching staff.

Rangers trainer Dan Lebold will be assistant equipment manager for Canada at the junior worlds.