New York Rangers sign defenseman Ben Harpur to one-year contract

New York Rangers GM Chris Drury announced Thursday afternoon that the team has agreed to a one-year contract with defenseman Ben Harpur.

Harpur, 27, was with the Columbus Blue Jackets on a professional tryout contract earlier this season. He was ultimately cut after getting injured in a fight against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jamie Devane. Once the AHL season kicked off, he found himself on another PTO, this time with the Hartford Wolfpack.

That PTO has now turned into a one-year NHL contract, but he’ll head back down to Hartford. Harpur has no points through four AHL games this season, acting as more of a physical, shutdown defender.

Harpur was drafted in the fourth round, 108th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2013. He spent the majority of his junior years with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) but had a brief appearance with the Barrie Colts. In 2013-14 while with the Storm, Harpur and fellow NHLers Tyler Bertuzzi, Robby Fabbri, Brock McGinn, and Jason Dickinson captured the J. Ross Roberson Cup and were crowned OHL Champions. Harpur registered 16 points in 67 games and an additional five points through 20 playoff games. He was held pointless through four Memorial Cup games.

In 156 career NHL games with the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators, Harpur has registered 15 points and 123 penalty minutes. Last season while with the Predators he had one assist and 27 penalty minutes in 19 games.

Harpur won’t collect many points for the Rangers if he gets called up. However, the 6-foot-6, 231-pound defenseman will provide the teamwith another physical presence alongside NHL heavyweight Ryan Reaves. He will also be a warm body that the Rangers can bounce up and down between the AHL and NHL when dealing with injuries or other roster issues.