Rangers Sign UFA Goalie

From the New York Rangers:

New York, March 30, 2010 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent goaltender Cameron Talbot.Talbot, 22, was named the 2010 College Hockey America (CHA) tournament MVP and selected to the CHA All Tournament Team after backstopping the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers to their second CHA tournament championship.

Talbot appeared in 33 games with the Chargers (CHA) this past season, posting a 12-18-3 record, along with a 2.60 goals against average, a .925 save percentage and one shutout. He established career-highs in games played, wins, goals against average and save percentage this season. His .925 save percentage led all CHA goaltenders and tied for sixth overall in the NCAA, while he ranked second in the conference in wins and goals against average. He recorded a 29-save shutout against Robert Morris in the first round of the CHA conference tournament on March 12, his second career collegiate shutout.

Talbot registered five 40-plus save performances this season, including a season-high 46 saves in a 2-2 tie on December 4 at Robert Morris. In addition, he recorded a career-high four-game winning streak from January 30 vs. Niagara to February 20 vs. Robert Morris, posting a 2.25 goals against average and a .926 save percentage over the span.The 6-3, 185-pounder appeared in 70 career NCAA games with the Chargers, posting a record of 15-44-6, along with a 3.10 goals against average, a .907 save percentage and two shutouts.

Talbot registered his first collegiate shutout with a 33-save effort in a 1-0 win at Yale on November 21, 2008. Prior to making his collegiate debut in 2007-08, he appeared in 82 OJHL games with the Hamilton Red Wings, registering a 40-18-0 record with a 2.38 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.

In all honesty I saw him 3-4 times over the couple of years mainly in tournament action. Good size at 6'3 and this is one of those moves that can be be called tossing a dart and hoping for a bullseye.

It gives the Rangers depth at goalie for the ECHL team (when they find a new team) and protection against injury for the Hartford guys.

Very hard to judge his potential playing for Alabama-Huntsville which is not exactly a major power in college hockey. Still one can question this move after watching Luke Pither who was one of the top scorers in the OHL sign with the Flyers after the Rangers had him at Traverse City.

(Image courtesy of UAH Hockey)