A physical defender, another need for the Rangers, and with their fourth round pick, they selected 6-4 220lb Yarmouth native, Ryan Graves. The PEI Rocket blueliner projects to be another work in progress for a Rangers team who has taken flyers on several similar players over the past several years, with little to show for it.
Graves is unlikely to add much point-wise in his career – he has just 5 goals and 25 points in 170 games – but that’s not really his game. Similar in some ways to 2011 draft pick Samuel Noreau, Graves is a big body who isn’t afraid to bring an edge to the game.
The Rocket are going through a name change this season, and will be known now as the Charlottetown Islanders. For those wondering, the logo looks in no way reminiscent to the NHL namesakes.
After a rough opening season where he went -23 in plus/minus, Graves moved up to a +7 this year on a team that finished near the middle of the QMJHL in standings.
In terms of scouting, there’s little on Graves, but the few things that are mentioned include that his skating needs some work, and perhaps is too eager to lay a hit and takes himself out of the play.
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