DETROIT — Jaroslav Chmelar has had per week he'll always remember.
After incomes his first recall to the Rangers on Sunday, the 22-year-old Czech ahead practiced with the workforce earlier than serving as a wholesome scratch within the membership's shutout loss to the Hurricanes at Madison Sq. Backyard on Tuesday.
Throughout intermission at MSG, Chmelar was launched to his childhood idol and compatriot, Jaromir Jagr.
And on Friday night time towards the Purple Wings, the 144th decide in 2021 not solely made his NHL debut, but additionally dropped the gloves for his first NHL struggle.
“I don't even know what to say,” Chmelar stated with an outstretched smile earlier than the Rangers beat the Purple Wings 4-1 at Little Caesars Enviornment. “It's unbelievable. I didn't anticipate it. It's similar to, I attempt to put every part on the road each recreation, and now, I'm right here. Wanting round on the guys I'm in a locker room with it's simply — I can't categorical it.”
Chmelar was on the telephone along with his girlfriend when assistant normal supervisor Ryan Martin referred to as him with the information. At first he was shaking, however then the joy set in and he instantly referred to as his household.
The Rangers have been impressed with Chmelar's begin to the season, over which he labored his method up from the fourth line to the highest unit. Chmelar stated he simply tried to purchase into his identification as a 6-foot-4, 226-pound skater, being a heavy physique on the forecheck and getting pucks to the online.
All of it earned Chmelar a recall, which landed the younger wing within the Backyard on the identical night time because the participant he grew up watching.
“That was most likely the most effective hockey speak I've had in my life,” he stated of the trade with Jagr. “So it was fairly cool.”
With two objectives and three assists for 5 factors in 9 video games for the Wolf Pack, Chmelar is projected to skate on the best wing of the Rangers' fourth line subsequent to Juuso Parssinen and Sam Carrick.
Dropping the gloves with Travis Hamonic within the third interval, Chmelar completed with 6:27 of ice time within the victory.
“He actually regarded like he knew what he was doing, I'll inform you that,” Sullivan stated of Chmelar after the sport. “He's an important child, at first. His enthusiasm was superior. The workforce was feeding off it. He's a very likable child. I feel his power is so nice. I imagine his mother and father are right here, which is superior, to see his first NHL recreation. After which to get in a struggle like he did in his first NHL recreation, he'll keep in mind that for a very long time.”
On account of Chmelar making his NHL debut, Adam Edstrom was the odd man out of the Rangers lineup Friday.
“The most important factor with Eddie is he's coping with some bumps and bruises proper now,” Sullivan stated. “And I simply suppose, given the circumstance that we're in, may give Eddie a possibility to recuperate. But in addition a man like Jaro that's performed extraordinarily nicely in Hartford, we'll give him a possibility to see if he will help us.”
Urho Vaakanainen continues to be daily with a lower-body harm and missed his second straight recreation. Matthew Robertson remained within the lineup within the Finn's place.
Vincent Trocheck, who continues to be on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body harm, continues to skate with the workforce as he nears a return to the lineup.
