NAHL, NAPHL alum Rueschhoff signs with NHL's Rangers

Austin Rueschhoff played two seasons in both the NAHL and the NAPHL.

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Austin Rueschhoff on a one-year contract.

Rueschhoff, 24, played in 59 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2021-22, notching 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points. On Hartford last season, he ranked sixth in goals and 11th in points. From January 12-19, 2022, the 6-7, 230 pound forward registered goals in four-straight contests (6G).

The Wentzville, Missouri native has skated in parts of two seasons with the Wolf Pack, accumulating 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in 82 games. Prior to turning pro at the start of the 2020-21 season, Rueschhoff skated in 105 career collegiate games over three seasons (2017-18 - 2019-20) with Western Michigan University, registering 35 goals and 35 assists for 70 points, along with a plus-nine rating. Over the three seasons he played in the NCAA, Rueschhoff was one of 10 collegiate players who registered at least 35 goals, 35 assists, and 100 penalty minutes.

New York originally signed Rueschhoff as a college free agent on March 20, 2020.

Prior to beginning his collegiate career at Western Michigan University, the Wentzville, Missouri native played the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons in the NAHL. The 2014-15 season was spent with the Minnesota Wilderness, Janesville Jets and Minnesota Magicians, as he played in 26 games and recorded seven points. During the 2015-16 seson, Rueschhoff spent the entire season with the Austin Bruins, recording 31 points in 52 games played.

Prior to playing in the NAHL, Rueschhoff played two seasons in the NAPHL for the St. Louis Selects from 2012-14. In 41 career NAPHL games, Rueschhoff recorded 43 points.