(above) Rhett Rakhshani will play with the AHL Bridgeport SoundFrom: LighthouseHockey.com
University of Denver graduate and Islanders 2006 4th-round pick (100th) Rhett Rakhshani agreed to terms with the Islanders.
He will report to AHL Bridgeport today on an amateur tryout (for this season's remainder, before the entry-level deal kicks in), making his pro debut at home Saturday in the Sound Tigers' very playoff-relevant game against Portland.
Not even a whole week ago, Rakhshani faced the disappointment of the top-seed DU team he captained falling to upstart RIT.
The Islanders were interested in bringing Rakhshani into the system before this past season -- "For the last two years," he told Chris Botta last spring, "They’ve told me they’re ready when I’m ready. They’ve been incredibly supportive." -- but Rhett had unfinished business in the NCAA. While a Frozen Four appearance wasn't in the cards, Rakhshani compiled 50 points (21 g, 29 a) in 41 games this year for DU and got the singular experience of being a team captain. Now in Bridgeport with a completed college degree, it's hard to argue that he made the wrong choice. Listed at 5'10", he's not big but his skating and hockey smarts are well-regarded.
Now the next part of this California native's journey begins.
He will report to AHL Bridgeport today on an amateur tryout (for this season's remainder, before the entry-level deal kicks in), making his pro debut at home Saturday in the Sound Tigers' very playoff-relevant game against Portland.
Not even a whole week ago, Rakhshani faced the disappointment of the top-seed DU team he captained falling to upstart RIT.
The Islanders were interested in bringing Rakhshani into the system before this past season -- "For the last two years," he told Chris Botta last spring, "They’ve told me they’re ready when I’m ready. They’ve been incredibly supportive." -- but Rhett had unfinished business in the NCAA. While a Frozen Four appearance wasn't in the cards, Rakhshani compiled 50 points (21 g, 29 a) in 41 games this year for DU and got the singular experience of being a team captain. Now in Bridgeport with a completed college degree, it's hard to argue that he made the wrong choice. Listed at 5'10", he's not big but his skating and hockey smarts are well-regarded.
Now the next part of this California native's journey begins.
5 comments:
Good luck Rhett! Thanks for your dedication to the DU hockey program.
Rhett is one of the most skilled players I've seen to wear the Crimson and Gold.
Best wishes to him as he chases his pro-hockey dreams.
Islanders have lots of good young players on their team and in their system. If Rakhshani can break through to the NHL club they might have a great future together.
Rak will certainly be missed. Even thought DU didn't manage to win a National Championship while he was here he was a class act and represented the school and team in an exemplary manner. He has a future in the new NHL where speed is more important than size. Good luck Rak.
it was a privilege and an honor to be able to watch Rhett for the past four years. He will be successful in whatever he does, and he should be proud of his accomplishments while at DU. Good luck Rhett and we will continue to follow your career!
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