New York Rangers sign top college free agent Bobby Trivigno
The New York Rangers have landed top college free agent Bobby Trivigno out of the University of Massachusetts as the club announced the two sides had agreed to terms. Trivigno was the No. 2 ranked prospect on the Daily Faceoff college free agents list and one of the most accomplished collegiate players of the last two seasons.
Though the Rangers did not disclose the terms of the deal, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports that it will be a two-year contract starting next season. Trivigno will go to the team’s AHL affiliate in Hartford to finish out the 2021-22 campaign. That also means the Rangers won’t have to burn a year off of Trivigno’s contract this season, which is often a big enticement in the recruiting process for top college UFAs.
Trivigno, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound left winger, finished his season as the third-leading scorer in the NCAA with 49 points in 37 games. His 20 goals ranked 11th in the country. Over the last two seasons, no NCAA player had more points than Trivigno. He tallied 83 points over 66 games in his junior and senior campaigns.
As a junior, he led UMass to its first national championship. He was the Frozen Four’s most outstanding player, earned first-team All-America honors and won the Walter Brown Award as the best American-born player in college hockey in New England.
This season, he captained UMass to another Hockey East postseason title. He was a Hobey Baker top-10 finalist, the Hockey East scoring champion and the league’s player of the year. He likely will earn first-team All-America honors once again, which will be announced next week. The Minutemen reached the NCAA tournament for the third time in Trivigno’s career but were knocked out by Minnesota in overtime during the first round.
Trivigno wrapped his collegiate career with 131 points in 139 games. He was an impact player as a freshman during that run led by Cale Makar to the national championship game, where they ultimately fell to Minnesota Duluth. The 2019-20 postseason was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, costing UMass another tournament appearance. But the Minutemen made good in 2021 when Trivigno led them to the program’s first national title last season, completing one of the greatest program turnarounds in college hockey history.
Discounted for his size, Trivigno played at the vaunted Shattuck St. Mary’s program in Faribault, Minn., before moving on to the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks. Despite a strong rookie season in the league, he went undrafted.
The shifty winger has a good mix of skill and tenacity with a deceptive shot and a motor that just doesn’t quit. His skill set has grown as he provides good two-way value with an especially deft offensive sense. His ability to create turnovers and transition to offense may be one of his best weapons, while he’s honed his shot to become dangerous from distance.
The Rangers will have a player that can play in a lot of different spots in their lineup and provide scoring depth. Trivigno will start in the AHL this season before his NHL contract officially begins in 2022-23. If there are changes to New York’s roster in the offseason, his AHL time could be brief as he should be able to compete for a spot as soon as next season.
The Setauket, N.Y., native was invited to the Rangers’ player development camp last offseason, but was unable to participate due to timing with the start of the school year. It has long been speculated that Manhattan was his preferred destination in free agency, but it was believed the Florida Panthers were in the mix to the very end. Ultimately, the season-long speculation about Trivigno’s pro destination proved right and the New York native will get a chance to start his NHL career close to home.