Michigan State University Athletics
York Signs with New York Rangers
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
April 13, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior center and team captain Mike York has signed a professional contract with the New York Rangers and will report to the Rangers' American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford, Conn., the Rangers announced Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
York will join the Hartford WolfPack immediately. The WolfPack's next game is this Friday, April 16, against the Portland Pirates. The WolfPack have three games remaining in its regular season and have already clinched an AHL playoff berth.
York led the Spartans in goals (22), assists (32) and points (54) in 1998-99 while leading the Spartans to their second consecutive CCHA regular-season championship and a spot in the NCAA Frozen Four. He was the runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top collegiate player.
York was also a first-team All-American, the CCHA Player of the Year, the CCHA Best Defensive Forward and a first-team All-CCHA selection. He was MSU's Most Valuable Player, Outstanding Offensive Player and Outstanding Senior. He is the first Spartan in 20 years to lead the team in scoring three times and the first ever to lead the team in assists for four years.
The native of Waterford, Mich., finished his four-year career tied for 12th on MSU's all-time scoring list with 201 career points (79 goals, 122 assists) in 158 career games (coincidentally tied with former Ranger Kevin Miller). The 5-10, 185-pound center was New York's sixth-round selection (136th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. The Hockey News listed York as the 10th-best Ranger prospect and the top stickhandler among Ranger draft picks.
