By Warren Kozireski–
The New York Rangers drafted Tim Gettinger in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and just maybe found a gem.
From all the players drafted in the 1990’s by NHL clubs, only 19% went on the play 200 or more NHL games and that number shrinks to just 12% for those selected in the third round or later.
The 6’6”, 218 lb. wing Gettinger just may be one of those to buck those odds.
“It was an honor to be drafted by New York, such a great organization and something I’ve always dreamed about,” Gettinger said in mid-February.
Nicknamed “tree” or big tree” depending on which teammate is calling, Gettinger has not up to this point been a big-banging style winger but instead uses his large body well for positioning and his long reach comes in handy especially in the defensive zone.
The captain of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds had 30 goals with 27 assists through the first 54 games of this Ontario Hockey League season. Only 11 of his 57 points have come on the power play he was +29 plus/minus and had seven game-winners.
“Our team is playing really good hockey right now, so when the team is going and everyone is contributing…the last couple of weeks we switched up lines and the line I’ve been playing on lately has been really productive which has helped not just me.
“Wearing a letter the last three years is important to me to lead the team. Being a captain this year is something dreamed of and I try to lead the team the best I can.”
Gettinger exploded offensively last season with 31 goals after netting 27 over his first two junior season combined.
“I put in a lot of work that summer and I came in feeling really good. I just got back to being myself and got confidence and when I’m playing with confidence it’s good. I just had to believe in the way I was playing and that’s it’s gonna come, it’s gonna come and hopefully I can keep it going.”
His big body and skating is also coming in handy on the Greyhounds penalty killing unit.
“That’s definitely something I see in my game; defense first, blocking shots and whatever the team needs me to do.”
Gettinger grew up in North Olmstead, Ohio just west of Cleveland and is a product of the Cleveland Barons youth program. But unlike his brother Grant, who was a stay-at-home defenseman at Division I Mercyhurst College, Tim chose the Canadian junior route.
“It was a tough decision, obviously, but my minor midget year was a big deal and the Soo drafted me and coming up here for rookie camp and I saw the city, saw the team and met with everyone. I knew it was a great fit and four years later I don’t regret it at all. I saw the OHL as more my style of play.”
The soon-to-be 20-year old (April 14) was invited to the 2017 World Junior Summer Showcase for Team USA at Plymouth, Michigan in August and was the recipient of the Greyhounds Most Improved Player Award last season. He inked his entry-level deal with the New York Rangers on March 16, 2017 and will join the organization after this junior season ends.
“Getting drafted was the first step and now earning a contract is something special, but it hasn’t changed the way I play or anything. I’m still playing aggressive.
“Now I’m a New York fan obviously, but growing up it was Washington—I’m a big (Alex) Ovechkin fan. I always watched him growing up.”
Ranger fans can only hope he becomes half the player his idol is.
