Former Yorkton Terrier, and Springside, SK, native Chad Nehring has signed a two-way professional hockey contract with the Ottawa Senators.
Nehring, 29, has spent the last two seasons in the New York Rangers organization, playing with their American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford.
Nehring had a breakout season, leading the Hartford Wolf Pack in goals (26), points (48), and plus/minus (+16) while playing in all 76 of his team’s games, but it did not get him a game with the Rangers.
For Nehring that was the signal to move on.
“After having a good season, and not being rewarded for the hard work,” said Nehring, “it was time to look to be rewarded by other teams.”
Nehring said while with the Rangers organization “they treated me very well,” but at the big league level they hold a philosophy “of going with more experienced guys.”
So he signed with the Senators, hoping there will be a better chance of breaking into the NHL.
“They (Ottawa) targeted me,” said Nehring. “It’s exciting when you feel wanted.”
Nehring, who last played with the local Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Terriers in the 2006-2007 season, said while he had a break-out year offensively in Hartrford, it will be his grit and determination which are likely to get him a shot with the NHL Senators.
“I put up some numbers in the NHL, but I’m a face-off, penalty kill, hardworking kind of guy,” he said, adding Ottawa “watched me a lot. They know what kind of player I can be.”
Nehring said he hopes it all amounts to a better shot at cracking the NHL.
“I’m hoping with the resume I’ve been building up I get an exhibition game, a better look at camp,” he said. He added the longer he can stay in camp, the better chance to show what he does well.
“I’ve always been about doing the little things right,” he offered, adding “when you do the little things right good things usually happen.”
The Ottawa camp in September will reunite Nehring with one time teammate and past nemesis Kyle Turris. The two played together on a World Junior ‘A’ Challenge team in 2006-07, and it was Turris and the Burnaby Express which defeated the Terriers in the RBC final that same year.
“It wouldn’t be too bad lining up with him,” admitted Nehring.
The new deal is a one-year, two-way contract. The contract will carry an annual value of $600,000 in the National Hockey League and $125,000 in the American Hockey League, announced the Senators.
