Utica Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher announced today that the club has released forward Evan Rankin from his professional tryout contracts (PTO).
Rankin, 29, did not record a point in three games for the Comets. This season, Rankin has played in 30 AHL games this season and has seven points (1-6-7) with the Comets, Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the St. John’s IceCaps. He has also appeared in 25 ECHL games for the Toledo Walleye, where he has 23 points (12–11-23) and 14 penalty minutes. He ranks as Toledo’s all-time leader in goals (77), and is second in assists (76), and points (151).
In 218 American Hockey League games, the Portage, MI native has collected 115 points (56-59-115) and 117 penalty minutes with the Manitoba Moose, Grand Rapids Griffins, Rochester Americans, Syracuse Crunch, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and the St. John’s IceCaps. Rankin recorded four straight AHL seasons of double-digit goals from 2010 to 2014, primarily with Rochester.
Prior to turning professional, Rankin spent four years at the University of Notre Dame and was a member of the 2006-07 CCHA Championship team. He had 41 points (20-21-41) in 143 games with the Irish including 19 points (8-11-19) during his senior season.
