Lee Baldwin, UAA Defenseman Signed to New York Rangers

The New York Rangers announced March, 22, 2010, the signing of Lee Baldwin, 21 year-old recent defenseman for the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.

Before playing for UAA, he played three years in the BCHL, averaging 0.63 points per game, or about 51 points over 82 games.

At 6′3″ and 210 pounds, Lee is slightly bigger than current Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (pictured). He is said to have the ability to do different things, combining his size on defense with some decent offensive abilities.

Signings like these are always interesting, we’ll have to see if he can be another Girardi, or if he’ll turn out to be a bust.

Here is the press release from the Rangers:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Lee Baldwin.

Baldwin, 21, skated in 32 games with the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves this season, registering one goal and nine assists for 10 points, along with 51 penalty minutes.  He ranked second among team freshman in assists and tied for third in points. Baldwin ranked sixth on the team overall and third among team defensemen in assists, fourth among team defensemen in points, and fifth on the Seawolves in penalty minutes.

He registered his first collegiate point in his second game with two assists on October 9 vs. Mercyhurst.  Baldwin notched his first career NCAA goal, and posted a career-high three points (one goal and two assists) and plus-three rating on November 7 vs. Denver.

Prior to joining the Seawolves, the 6-3, 215-pounder skated in 150 career British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) games over three seasons with the Burnaby Express and Victoria Grizzlies, recording 20 goals and 74 assists for 94 points, along with 174 penalty minutes.  Baldwin enjoyed his finest BCHL season with the Grizzlies in 2008-09, establishing career-highs in goals (13), assists (41), points (54), power play goals (seven), shorthanded goals (one) and penalty minutes (79) to capture Team MVP and Top Defenseman honors while serving as an assistant captain for Victoria.

The 2009 BCHL All Star also led the Grizzlies in plus/minus rating, and led all BCHL defensemen in points. In addition, Baldwin has registered five goals and 14 assists for 19 points, along with 20 penalty minutes in 33 career BCHL playoff games with Burnaby and Victoria.

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