Labor weekend is upon us, and for those of you who aren’t otherwise engaged with end of Summer barbecues, trips around the country or something else to occupy your time, we offer you a weekend of prospect profiles in our countdown.

The first of our miniseries within the larger Ranger Countdown is Lee Baldwin, the 22 year old defender signed to a pro contract last year despite just playing one year of college.

Player Profile
Okay, so perhaps I overstated things a little, Baldwin did play junior hockey in the BCHL, a league considered a tier below the more well known OHL, WHL and QMJHL. In fact in his final year as an overager, he put up 54 points in 56 games to lead all blueliners in the league.

That’s not to say he was an instant success in college, where he put up just 1 goal and 9 assists in 32 games for the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves playing against some of the best college teams in the country.

To some observers who watched his game last year, Baldwin struggled a little with the speed of the game, but apparently showed enough to attract attention of NHL scouts, including those working for the Rangers.

Ultimately it was his combination of size – 6-3 and 210lbs – potential for upping his physical play, as well as some offensive and puck moving ability that captured the Rangers’ attention.

While there’s hope he can progress quickly, it does seem likely that he’ll have to battle to make it into the Wolf Pack line-up this season. The Rangers and Pack are both well stocked with blue-liners, and he’ll have to work hard to ensure he isn’t one of the first sent down.

2009-10 Statistics
Team: Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
Stats: 1 goal, 0 assists and 4 penalty minutes in 7 games

Team: University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA)
Stats: 1 goal, 9 assists and 51 penalty minutes in 32 games

Prediction
Team: Hartford Wolf Pack (NHL)
Stats: 2 goals, 10 assists and 40 penalty minutes in 40 games

Team: Greenville Road Warriors (NHL)
Stats: 4 goals, 15 assists and 30 penalty minutes in 30 games

Fun Fact
If you’re wondering how Baldwin ended up with 51 penalty minutes last year in the WCHA, well he got a five minute major for grasping the face mask of an opposition player.