CHRIS DRURY NAMED FINALIST FOR JIM GREGORY AWARD
NEW YORK, June 21, 2022 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury has been named a finalist for the Jim Gregory Award, an annual award presented to recognize the work of the top general manager in the NHL. Voting for the award is done by NHL general managers, hockey operations personnel, and executives, at the conclusion of the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Rangers posted a 52-24-6 record for 110 points in 2021-22, earning the second most wins (tied) in franchise history and the third most points. New York earned a playoff berth for the first time since 2017 and appeared in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014.
At the trade deadline, Drury and the Rangers acquired key pieces to the playoff run in Andrew Copp, Frank Vatrano, Tyler Motte and Justin Braun. Copp collected 32 points in 36 total games with the Rangers (8G-10A in 16 RS GP & 6G-8A in 20 PS GP) and finished with the second most points by an in-season acquisition in Rangers history. Vatrano had 13 points (5G-8A) in the postseason and registered a total of 26 points (13G-13A) in 42 games in New York. Motte scored his first two goals with the Rangers in the playoffs, becoming the seventh player in franchise history to do so. Braun played in 19 of 20 games for the Rangers in the playoffs and carried the most playoff games of any Rangers skater throughout the playoffs.
In his first summer as general manager, Drury hired Gerard Gallant as head coach, who went on to be named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the Year. In addition, the Rangers acquired Barclay Goodrow from Tampa Bay and signed him to a six-year contract. In 2021-22, Goodrow accumulated career-highs in goals (13), assists (20) and points (33) while leading the Blueshirts in shorthanded time-on-ice (183:18).
Since the creation of the award in 2009-10, Drury is the second Rangers general manager to be named a finalist, joining Glen Sather (2014-15). If Drury were to be voted as the winner, which will be announced at the NHL Draft in July, he would become the first to do so in his first season as an NHL general manager.
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