Rankin signs with Tri-City

Press Release

Kennewick, WA - Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today at a press conference that the team's first-round draft pick from this year's draft, Connor Rankin, has signed a standard WHL Players Contract with the club. Tri-City selected Rankin, 15, seventh overall after making a deal with the Prince George Cougars on draft day.

Last season, the 6'0, 185 pound center played in 47 games for the North Shore Winterhawks AAA Bantam club, where he collected 26 goals, 45 points and 54 penalty minutes.

"We are very excited to get a commitment from Connor, who we feel, was the best forward in the Draft," Tory explained. "(Rankin) is a great skater and has tremendous upside. We are looking forward to watching him play in the pre-season and to have him be a full-time member of the club in 2010-11."

Rankin will attend the Americans' rookie camp this fall and participate in both the Everett and Tri-City pre-season tournaments. He will be named as an affiliate player for the 2009-10 season and will see action as needed throughout the season.

The Americans' rookie camp will start on Wednesday, August 26th and conclude on Saturday, August 29th. Main camp will then kick-off on Sunday, August 30th.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)