HockeyRangers Recall Top Goalie Prospect Igor Shesterkin from Wolf Pack by Anthony Paradiso January 6, 2020 On Monday morning, the New York Rangers announced on their official website that they have recalled their top goaltender prospect Igor Shesterkin to the National Hockey League (NHL) roster.Shesterkin’s promotion comes as a bit of a surprise to fans. Firstly, because many expected Shesterkin would be called up to the NHL at some point towards the end of the season. I for one, did not think Shesterkin would dominate the American Hockey League (AHL) like he has. Shesterkin’s dominance in Hartford and the Rangers’ three-game losing streak are both driving the decision to recall the 24-year-old Russian goaltender at exactly the halfway point of the NHL season.Wolf Pack Success Under Kris KnoblauchThe Hartford Wolf Pack are coached by Kris Knoblauch. Knoblauch has seven years of coaching experience in the Ontario Hockey League with the Erie Otters and two years as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers. This year under his guidance, the Wolf Pack sit in first-place in the Eastern Conference.Knoblauch described what his rookie goaltender has meant to his team this season.“As for his play, I think the highlights and his numbers speak for themselves about how well he’s playing. I believe he’d be our MVP for the first half of the year.”Shesterkin was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Rangers. Following the draft, Shesterkin played six seasons in Russia in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) where he had a 1.68 GAA and a 9.35 save percentage– the best in KHL history.Shesterkin was picked to play in the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic for his remarkable performance to this point. In his first season in North America, Shesty has not dissapointed. Shesty is first in GAA (1.93) and second in save percentage (.932) only to Springfield’s Chris Driedger (.938) who was recalled by the Florida Panthers on Nov. 25.How Shesterkin Affects Goalie SituationThe Rangers already have two goalies in Henrik Lundqvist, who is in the second-to-last year of his contract, and 23-year-old Alexandar Georgiev. Georgiev has started in almost as many games as Lundqvist and has one more win (10) than the future hall-of-fame goalie who has nine.It might seem like the Rangers would not be able to keep three goalies on the roster. However, the Rangers are allowed to keep three goalies if they have at least 18 skaters and no more than 23 skaters according to the NHL.com’s “Hockey Operations Guidelines” web-page.The NHL rules forbid any player who has played over 60 games from being sent down to the minors. Because Georgiev played in his 60th NHL game on Dec. 20 against Toronto, he is no longer able to be sent down and has to be on the NHL roster.The 24-year-old certainly was playing terrific of late. Shesty has a win in each of his last four games, to go with a 1.00 GAA and a .964 save percentage. He also has a shutout in one of those four games and has allowed one goal or less in each game.Rangers’ Upcoming ScheduleThe Blueshirts will face the Colorado Avalanche tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden for a 7:30 PM puck-drop, before hosting the New Jersey Devils on Thursday evening. The Rangers play ten of their next 13 games on home ice. It will be interesting to see when Shesterkin makes his first start. Odds are, the Rangers will allow him to play in several games before the trade deadline. Post Views: 748The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest PostsAnthony ParadisoAnthony Paradiso has written for In The Zone since Sept. 2019. Previously, Anthony covered the New York Rangers and NY Red Bulls II since June of 2019. He has reported on-camera and written a monthly column for NYC newspaper, West View News since 2017. A graduate of Montclair State University, he co-hosts a sports talk show on University radio station, 90.3 FM WMSC.Latest posts by Anthony Paradiso (see all) NHL, Amazon Web Services Partner to Develop New Stats, Data, and Insights - February 11, 2021 New York Sports Icons Honored at 41st Thurman Munson Awards Virtual Event - February 5, 2021 NHL on NBC Broadcasters Preview the 2020-21 NHL Season - January 16, 2021 How the Yogi Berra Museum Expanded its Education Programs in 2020 - January 4, 2021 Related TopicsAHLAlexandar GeorgievHartford Wolf PackHenrik LundqvistIgor ShesterkinKHLNew York RangersNHL Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment.Newsletter SubscriptionCan't Miss Posts! No Shame in Their Game – Female Mixed Martial Artists Use Onlyfans to Make Money by Brandon Berrios | posted on December 4, 2020 Exclusive Interview: SNY Personality, Maria Marino, Shares Career Journey (VIDEO) by Sunil Sunder Raj | posted on January 28, 2021 Neha Uberoi Khangoora: Pro Athlete to Successful Business Entrepreneur by Sunil Sunder Raj | posted on February 9, 2021 Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 The Five Biggest Injuries of the 2020 NFL Season by Anthony Paradiso | posted on November 6, 2020More in Hockey NHL, Amazon Web Services Partner to Develop New Stats, Data, and InsightsThe National Hockey League (NHL) is partnering with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in an... You Know I’m Right, Episode 81: ESPN’s Arda Ocal (Audio/Video)On the 81st episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 80: MSG Network’s Bill Pidto (Audio/Video)On the 80th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... NHL Borrows $1 Billion to Split Between TeamsThe NHL has reportedly borrowed $1 billion to provide financial support for teams. This... Islanders’ Adam Pelech Done For Season Local Hockey Power Rankings- Week 14