Teenager Michael Del Zotto Quarterbacks Rangers' Power Play

NEWARK, N.J. -- The big-city, big-market, big-payroll New York Rangers have a Vezina-nominated goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist, a world-class sniper in Marian Gaborik and a Stanley Cup-winning captain in Chris Drury.

Quarterbacking the power play? A 19-year old rookie named Michael Del Zotto.

It's quite a shock, watching a defenseman just four months removed from the Ontario Hockey League in this crucial position on Broadway. Picture the Yankees' closer being a teenager out of Single A, the Giants' quarterback straight out of Boise State. That's Del Zotto as the point man on the first unit of the Rangers' power play.

So far, the kid is all right. In the Rangers' 3-2 triumph over the Devils on Monday night at the Prudential Center, Del Zotto scored a goal and added an assist on the power play. On Saturday, the 6-1, 190-pound defenseman scored his first NHL goal in a 5-2 home win over Ottawa.

Breaking the youngster in easily, John Tortorella has been reserved in his praise of the rookie quarterback. But after Del Zotto's performance in New Jersey, the Rangers head coach cracked a small smile and spoke about his young player with admiration.

"He's playing well. He's learning how to battle," said Tortorella. "Baptism by fire. There's going to be some bumps, but it's exciting to see a 19-year-old take the steps he's taking."

Tortorella pointed to Del Zotto's assist on a first period power play goal by Ales Kotalik in which he froze the Devils forwards before making his pass. "That was a subtle play, the way he moved his stick," said the coach. "Smart, good instincts."

"Baptism by fire. There's going to be some bumps, but it's exciting to see a 19-year-old take the steps he's taking."
-- John TortorellaDel Zotto is on the first unit power play over veterans Michael Roszival and Wade Redden. Although his final time-on-ice of 11:42 shows he has a long way to go before Tortorella gives him big third period minutes in close games, his prowess on the power play makes him an invaluable Ranger.

"I don't know where the Rangers would be without him," said a visiting scout in the Prudential Center press box, blown away not just by Del Zotto's poise on the power play but his "confidence and steadiness in all zones."

New York selected Del Zotto 20th overall in the 2008 draft. According to Rangers player personnel director Gordie Clark, the scouts liked the defenseman's "hands and head" so much, they contemplated trading a second round pick to move up the draft board. In the end, they took their chances and celebrated when Del Zotto was there at 20.

Clark says Del Zotto only needed to upgrade his strength and conditioning. When the teenager's junior team in Oshawa was taken over by Rangers legend Adam Graves and future Florida coach Peter DeBoer, they implemented a pro-level fitness program. "Michael got stronger and fitter and his athleticism matched his head and hands," said Clark, who also credits the Rangers' coaching staff for Del Zotto's NHL development on the fly. "That's when we knew we had something special."

Although he has made it look easy the last two games, Del Zotto has studied video and put in extra time at practice to handle the jump from running a power play in juniors to facing the New Jersey Devils. "Everything is different," he said after the game. "The forechecking, the way they take away the lanes. You have to be ready for it or you're in trouble."

Del Zotto doesn't appear to be in any danger of being returned to his junior team in London, Ontario. On his entry level deal, he could be sent to the OHL before his 10th NHL game without the Rangers losing a season on his contract. That is unlikely to happen since his two goals and three points lead all NHL defensemen. "Oh, I'm not making any assumptions about anything," he said, "including the scoring race and my roster spot here."

In January, he was dealt with John Tavares from Oshawa to London in a blockbuster OHL trade. The Knights knew they weren't getting back Tavares, drafted by the Islanders first overall in June.

They no longer need to wait around for Del Zotto.

ETC: Rangers D Matt Gilroy, the Long Island-raised 24-year old rookie out of Boston University, scored his first NHL goal at 17:50 of the second period for the game-winner. ..With his team down 1-0 and the Devils buzzing, Tortorella called a timeout two minutes into the game. "I was just shocked by how we were playing in our own zone and how we were watching the play," said the coach. LW Sean Avery (knee) skated this morning and hopes to return to the lineup on Thursday when the Rangers play in Washington.

Asked if he saw enough progress in his team's loss, Devils head coach Jacques Lemaire said, "Yes, there was progress. No, it was not enough. I just feel, right now, that we lack a bit of confidence." The Devils activated RW Ilkka Pikkarainen off injured reserve before Monday night's game.

Lineups

Rangers
Vinny Prospal -- Brandon Dubinsky -- Marian Gaborik
Chris Higgins -- Chris Drury -- Ryan Callahan
Enver Lisin -- Artem Anisimov -- Ales Kotalik
Aaron Voros -- Brian Boyle -- Donald Brashear

Marc Staal -- Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto -- Michal Rozsival
Wade Redden -- Matt Gilroy

Henrik Lundqvist


Devils
Zach Parise -- Travis Zajac -- Jamie Langenbrunner
Brian Rolston – Dainius Zubrus -- Niclas Bergfors
Jay Pandolfo -- Rob Niedermayer -- David Clarkson
Andrew Peters -- Rod Pelley -- Ilkka Pikkarainen

Johnny Oduya -- Paul Martin
Colin White -- Mike Mottau
Bryce Salvador -- Cory Murphy

Martin Brodeur