Rangers Sign Justin Falk to New Contract

Jul 10, 2013

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free agent defenseman Justin Falk on a new contract.

Falk, 24, was acquired by the Rangers from Minnesota on June 30 in exchange for forward Benn Ferriero and a sixth round pick (originally Columbus’) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He registered three assists and 40 penalty minutes in 36 games with Minnesota last season. Falk posted a plus or even rating in 27 of his 36 contests, and skated in his 100th career NHL game on March 27 against Phoenix. He also skated in four playoff contests, making his NHL playoff debut on May 3 at Chicago in Game 2 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal series.

The 6-5, 220-pounder has skated in 108 career regular season contests over four seasons with Minnesota, registering one goal and 14 assists for 15 points, along with 100 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in games played (47) and penalty minutes (54) during the 2011-12 season. Falk notched his first career NHL goal with a power play tally on January 24, 2012, at Colorado. He finished the 2011-12 season ranked fourth on the Wild with 78 hits, and ranked eighth among NHL rookies with 78 blocked shots.

Falk made his NHL debut on March 19, 2010, at Columbus, and registered his first career NHL point with an assist on October 19, 2010, against Vancouver.

The Snowflake, Manitoba native has also skated in 189 American Hockey League (AHL) contests over three seasons with the Houston Aeros, registering six goals and 20 assists for 26 points, along with 172 penalty minutes. Falk established AHL career-highs in assists (11), points (14), shots on goal (72), and plus/minus rating (plus-16), and tied his AHL career-high in goals (three) in 2010-11. His plus-16 rating led the Aeros that season. Prior to turning professional, Falk captured the 2008 Memorial Cup as a member of the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Spokane Chiefs. He was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team after registering two points (one goal, one assist) and a plus-four rating in four tournament contests.

Falk was originally selected by Minnesota as a fourth round choice, 110th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.