Rangers sign Semenov

September 30, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

As expected, the Rangers made it official signing 28 year-old Russian defenseman Alexei Semenov to a one-year deal worth $600,000. The lanky vet who goes 6-6, 245 pounds impressed enough during his tryout to merit consideration.

More importantly, the club needed a spare part who could be used when called upon with the team getting younger on the blueline with 25 year-old Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy and 19 year-old Mike Del Zotto starting the season on Broadway. The organization will monitor the 2008 first round pick who showed enough to warrant a spot, beating out Bobby Sanguinetti.

For Semenov who spent parts of the last two seasons in San Jose, the Blueshirts become his fourth NHL club. He’s also played for the Oilers and Panthers.

In 2008-09, he played in 47 games tallying a goal and seven assists with 57 penalty minutes for the Sharks. Over a six year career, the former Edmonton second round pick has spent 211 games in the league totaling seven goals, 26 helpers for 33 points while racking 249 PIM.

Also noteworthy, 10 members of the Rangers went on David Letterman to present his Top 10 list. Henrik Lundqvist, Marian Gaborik, Sean Avery, Chris Drury, Christopher Higgins, Marc Staal, Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Dan Girardi and Donald Brashear represented the club. Apparently, the hated goon was a more popular choice than Wade Redden or Michal Rozsival, whose whereabouts still haven’t been found.

We’ll have the video up sometime tomorrow.