The Rangers are adding two familiar names from the Blue Jackets organization to their staff.
According to The Athletic’s Vince Z. Mercogliano, New York has hired former Columbus first-round pick Derick Brassard as a player development assistant. The New York Post’s Mollie Walker also reported that the Rangers are bringing in Blue Jackets “legend” Jonathan Quick as director of goaltending development.
Brassard was taken by Columbus with the sixth-overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and he spent his first six seasons with the club from 2007-08 through 2012-13. In 309 games with the Blue Jackets, he put up 58 goals, 111 assists and 169 points.
His run in Columbus ended when he was dealt to the Rangers during the 2012-13 season in a multi-player trade that sent Marian Gaborik to the Blue Jackets. That history makes Brassard a familiar face for New York as he moves into his new role.
Quick’s path to the Rangers staff was much shorter in Columbus. He was briefly part of the Blue Jackets organization during the 2022-23 season, after the Los Angeles Kings included him in the trade package that brought Vladislav Gavrikov and Joonas Korpisalo to Los Angeles.
But Quick never suited up for Columbus. The Blue Jackets moved him quickly to the Vegas Golden Knights before he played a game, and he went on to win his third career Stanley Cup that season. After that, he finished the final three seasons of his NHL career with the Rangers.
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