After scoring 4 goals and 5 assists in his first seven games, Kyle Jean has ONE goal and five assists since November 2nd.
Earlier in the year, Jeff Gorton spoke with Bob Crawford of the Whale and said that that Jean, being an un-drafted free agent, is going to try and follow the same path that led Dan Girardi through the system and to the Rangers “We brought him in to take a look and everyone is looking for big centers who can make plays and he hasn’t disappointed since he came into camp. He earned his contract and it’s been exciting to see what he can do at the American level
Earlier in the year at Hockey’s Future, Leslie Treff says of Jean “A hard-hitting, goal scoring center, Jean has been playing a big offensive role this season with the AHL Connecticut Whale.”
In the time since he scored Jean has registered a shot in every game but one.
In his first 7 games for the Whale, Kyle Jean has 4 goals and 5 assists.
Ken Gernander spoke with the Harford Courant about Jean and said that he, like many of the other prospects, re in the middle of the process, “He’s got good hands, he’s got some nifty moves with the puck. He’s young to he’s got a lot to learn. He’s just getting into the pro game and it’s a great start, but now part of the development and part of the process is to go through that 80-game season that he’s unfamiliar with. To be able to maintain that level of play and be consistent.”
Jean added that he is happy with his start but knows that he has to keep it going to keep his spot in the lineup.
In two games with the Whale, Kyle Jean has two goals (one PP and one SH) one assist, and 12 shots on goal. His 12 shots are five more than Kris Newbury who ranks second on the team.
Jean said after the game yesterday, “overall I am feeling alright and I just want to keep going. I’m just trying to play simple, play hard and have fun.”
Andrew Gross wrote at Ranger Rants that the Rangers could have a player in Kyle Jean who was signed out of college over the summer.
Gross writes, “The Rangers may really have something with Kyle Jean. Not that he’s destined to be a top-line skater in the NHL. But to sign him at 22, he’s a nice find for the organization and I can definitely see him getting a shot with the big club in the next couple of seasons.”
He adds, “He’s big, strong, can take and give checks and skates with purpose. Coach John Tortorella talks about guys with good instincts in the offensive zone and Jean definitely seems to have them. But he also seems to make the transition to playing defense fairly smoothly and doesn’t get beat up the ice often.”
On Jean, Julie Robenhymer wrote over the summer “At 22 years-old, he’s kind of in that awkward development stage where he’s better than where he is, but not quite good enough for the next level which is why I think this is a great move for him. He’ll get prime-time minutes in Hartford against guys who are bigger, stronger, older, etc. and be challenged to improve. “
Jeff Gorton said at Blueshirts United that the team wants to see how Jean will adapt to playing a pro style of game, saying “He played really well at development camp, but it was development camp. Now I am curious to see how he does in his first pro camp. He’s an interesting guy, for sure.”
Off to Hartford, thanks to everyone for all the well wishes, it means a lot. #CTWhale— Kyle Jean (@KJean9) September 26, 2012
In the Soo Evening News, Peter Pietrangelo spoke with newly signed Rangers prospect Kyle Jean about the transition that he faces leaving college hockey and going to the pro game.
Jean said that he was the first player the Rangers signed out of development camp in four seasons after he put up four goals in four scrimmages.
The paper writes that Jean was being watched by scouts every week while at Lake Superior State and was one of the top faceoff men on the team.
On his time table, Jean said, “I need to develop more as a player, learn to be a pro. Do I think I can play in the NHL this year? We’ll see, it might take some time. And I’m fully prepared to do that. I really think anything is possible. I don’t think I can say ‘Hey, I’m going to be a 50-goal scorer. I don’t know that. All I can say is I’m trying to become better every day.”
Cap Geek notes that on Jean’s two year deal, his cap hit is $705,000 and that he got a signing bonus of $92,500.
On Wednesday, Kyle Jean announced that he was now part of the Rangers organization.
Julie Robenhymer was asked about Jean and responded, ” He’s a great prospect at 6’4, 200 lb who knows how to use his body, is surprisingly light footed and recently re-discovered his scoring touch, especially around the net, but I don’t think he’s penciled into the Rangers lineup this fall. That said, he was poised to be a hot commodity in the college free agent market this year and was invited to several development camps this summer, including Buffalo’s this weekend.”
She adds,”At 22 years-old, he’s kind of in that awkward development stage where he’s better than where he is, but not quite good enough for the next level which is why I think this is a great move for him. He’ll get prime-time minutes in Hartford against guys who are bigger, stronger, older, etc. and be challenged to improve. “
She thinks that it may take two or three years for Jean to develop but that he can be a nice depth player with offensive upside.
Kyle Jean is a 6-4, 212 pound forward who plays at Lake Superior State and has been having a good showing at Rangers prospect development camp this week.
Jean told the Rangers website, “This is new experience for me and I’m just trying to take it all in,” said Jean on Thursday. “This game is different from college hockey because college hockey is more run-and-gun. Here you have to make more smart plays, and I like that. My approach has been to come in and be a big sponge and learn as much as I can. Other than that I am just taking it day by day.”
Leslie Treff tweeted of Jean, “Jean just tosses guy right to ground.” Jean also collided with Dylan McIlrath yesterday and knocked him out of today’s scrimmage.
In 2008 when he went to Lake Superior State, his coach said of Jean, “He’s a big kid, but he’s skilled and talented, too,” Palumbo said. “He will skate on one of our top three lines, we’re not sure where just yet.”
After having a
