Jimmy Vesey

Jimmy Vesey
Born (1993-05-26) May 26, 1993
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.[1]
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team New York Rangers
National team  United States
NHL Draft 66th overall, 2012
Nashville Predators
Playing career 2016present

Jimmy Vesey (born May 26, 1993) is an American ice hockey left winger for the New York Rangers. He was selected by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 66th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Vesey won the Hobey Baker Award in 2016. On June 20, 2016 his rights were traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.[2]

Playing career

College

Vesey played four years with Harvard University in the NCAA. The North Reading, Massachusetts native finished his collegiate career with 144 points (80+64) in 128 games and was named ECAC Player of the Year after the 2014–15 season.[2] In his junior year, Vesey's outstanding play was rewarded with a top-ten nomination for the Hobey Baker Award.[3] On April 2, 2015, Vesey was named to the Hobey Hat Trick, the 3 finalists for the award, along with University of North Dakota's Zane McIntyre and Boston University's Jack Eichel, with Eichel going on to win the award.[4] In 2016, Vesey once again qualified for the Hobey Hat Trick, along with Michigan Wolverine's Kyle Connor and Boston College's Thatcher Demko, this time going on to win the Hobey Baker Award on April 8, 2016.[5]

Professional

Vesey was selected by the Nashville Predators in the 3rd round with the 66th overall selection of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Vesey was good enough for Nashville general manager David Poile to guarantee the senior a roster spot for the end of the 2015–16 regular season and playoffs. But Vesey informed the Predators he was not interested in signing. Vesey wanted to choose his destination, which any collegian can do four years out from when they are drafted.[6] Vesey's decision came as a huge blow to the Predators' organization. However, it was also within the bounds of the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which gives teams four years to sign college draftees and thus allows for the drafted player to move to free agency shortly after his senior year.[7]

On June 20, 2016, the Buffalo Sabres acquired Vesey's rights from the Predators in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.[2] The deal was made in order to give the Sabres an extra few weeks of exclusive negotiating rights with Vesey before he became a free agent. Despite this, Vesey's agent informed ESPN that he had still intended to become a free agent.[8] While discussions with the Sabres continued, a deal was not struck and in accordance with the NHL CBA, Vesey became an unrestricted free agent on August 16.[9] Vesey became a hot topic among analysts and fans leading up to his free agency due to the belief Vesey could play on a team's top two lines immediately, due to his all around skill. In the two days following his free agency, Vesey met with seven NHL teams.[10] Five more teams requested to meet with Vesey, but were denied.[11][12][13]

On August 20, 2016, Vesey signed with the New York Rangers.[14] After attending the training camp, Vesey received the Lars-Erik Sjöberg Award, which is given to the best Rangers' rookie in the camp.[15] On October 17, 2016, Vesey scored his first NHL goal in a 7–4 win over the San Jose Sharks.[16][17]

International play

Vesey won a gold medal while playing for the U.S. national junior team at the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship and took home a bronze medal as part of senior team at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.[2]

Personal life

His father, Jim Vesey, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the eighth round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, going on to play 15 games in the National Hockey League; he works as a scout for the Maple Leafs.[18] Jimmy's brother Nolan was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, and is currently playing for the University of Maine Black Bears.[18]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 South Shore Kings EJHL 45 48 43 91 52 6 5 3 8 2
2012–13 Harvard University ECAC 27 11 7 18 25
2013–14 Harvard University ECAC 31 13 9 22 14
2014–15 Harvard University ECAC 37 32 26 58 21
2015–16 Harvard University ECAC 33 24 22 46 6
2016–17 New York Rangers NHL 80 16 11 27 26 12 1 4 5 9
NHL totals 80 16 11 27 26 12 1 4 5 9

International

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Championships
2015 Czech Republic
IIHF World U20 Championship
2013 Russia
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 United States WJC 1st, gold medalist(s) 7 1 4 5 2
2015 United States WC 3rd, bronze medalist(s) 9 0 3 3 0
Junior totals 7 1 4 5 2
Senior totals 9 0 3 3 0

Awards and achievements

Award Year
Hobey Baker Award top ten finalist 2014–15 [19]
ECAC Player of the Year 2014–15 [20]
All-ECAC First Team 2014–15 [20]
ECAC Player of the Year 2015–16 [21]
All-ECAC First Team 2015–16 [21]
Hobey Baker Award winner 2015–16 [22]

References

  1. Taylor, Paul (May 12, 2016). "Leafs: Has Jimmy Vesey Provided a Clue to Where He Will End up?". SI. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "SABRES ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO VESEY". sabres.nhl.com. June 20, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  3. "Ciampini & Vesey Among Hobey Baker Memorial Award Top Ten Finalists". ECAC Hockey. March 19, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  4. "2015 3 Finalists announced". Hobey Baker Award. April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  5. Lambert, Ryan (April 8, 2016). "Harvard's Jimmy Vesey wins 2016 Hobey Baker Award". "Yahoo Sports". Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  6. Shinzawa, Fluto (May 14, 2016). "NHL prospect Jimmy Vesey has practiced patience". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 27, 2016. (Subscription required (help)).
  7. Peters, Chris (March 29, 2016). "Report: Top prospect Jimmy Vesey picks free agency over Predators". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  8. Clinton, Jared (June 21, 2016). "Vesey’s agent says NCAA standout plans to become free agent despite trade to Sabres". The Hockey News. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  9. Muir, Allan (August 15, 2016). "Big decision looming for prized free-agent Jimmy Vesey". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  10. Clinton, Jared (August 18, 2016). "Vesey met with seven teams, discussing options Thursday — what can each team offer?". The Hockey News. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  11. Ryan, Chris (August 17, 2016). "Jimmy Vesey meeting with final contenders Wednesday, reports say". NJ.com. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  12. "Jimmy Vesey wants to play close to home: report". National Hockey League. August 16, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  13. "Rangers celebrity fans making pitches to Jimmy Vesey". National Hockey League. August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  14. "Rangers Agree to Terms With Jimmy Vesey". NHL.com. August 20, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  15. "Jimmy Vesey Named Winner of Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award". NHL.com. October 6, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  16. Rosen, Dan (October 18, 2016). "Jimmy Vesey scores first NHL goal". NHL.com. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  17. Cyrgalis, Brett (October 18, 2016). "Rangers rookie Jimmy Vesey soaks up ‘pure joy’ of first goal". New York Post. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  18. 1 2 Fox, Luke (March 30, 2016). "Report: Jimmy Vesey will sign with Boston Bruins". SportsNet.ca. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
  19. "Ciampini & Vesey Among Hobey Baker Memorial Award Top Ten Finalists". ECAC Hockey. March 19, 2015.
  20. 1 2 "2014-15 Men's awards". ECAC Hockey. April 15, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  21. 1 2 "Harvard, Quinnipiac, Yale bag top ECAC Hockey postseason honors". ECAC Hockey. March 18, 2016.
  22. "2016 Winner". www.hobeybaker.com. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Jack Eichel
Hobey Baker Award
2015–16
Succeeded by
Will Butcher
Preceded by
Greg Carey
Shayne Gostisbehere
ECAC Hockey Player of the Year
2014–15
2015–16
Succeeded by
Mike Vecchione
Preceded by
Daniel Carr
ECAC Hockey Tournament MOP
2015
Succeeded by
Connor Clifton
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