Evgeny Grachev #91 of the New York Rangers against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 5, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey.

New York, February 1, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Evgeny Grachev has been assigned to the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Grachev, 20, has skated in eight games with the Rangers this season, making his NHL debut vs. Carolina on October 29.  He returns to Connecticut where he has registered 13 goals and six assists for 19 points, along with 12 penalty minutes and a plus-eight rating in 42 games this season.  He registered one goal in a 4-2 loss vs. Manchester on Friday, marking his fourth consecutive AHL game with a goal (seven goals) and fifth straight game with a point (seven goals, one assist) dating back to January 15 vs. Providence.  He is tied for second on the team in goals, while his plus-eight rating leads all team forwards and ranks second on the Whale.  He is also tied for fifth on the team with three power play goals.  Grachev registered his first professional hat trick in a 5-1 win at Springfield on January 22.

The Khabarovsk, Russia native was originally the Rangers’ third round selection, 75th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Photo credit: Getty Images