The New York Rangers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Will Cuylle on an entry-level contract. Cuylle was selected by the Rangers in the second round, 60th overall, of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Prior to the draft, eliteprospects.com described Cuylle as one of the most naturally gifted one-touch scorers in this year’s draft. Put the puck on his stick, and he’ll do the rest. Cuylle is a technically gifted shooter. He’s got so much upper-body strength on that 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame of his, and he puts it to good use generating quick-release wrist shots explode off his stick’s blade.
Cuylle, 19, has skated in 13 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, registering two goals and three assists for five points, along with 26 penalty minutes. He tallied his first career AHL goal/point while making his AHL debut on Feb. 7 vs. Bridgeport, and he recorded his first career AHL assist while skating in his second career AHL game on Feb. 11 at Providence. Cuylle posted his first career multi-point game in the AHL by registering two points (one goal, one assist) on Apr. 10 vs. Providence.
The 6-3, 212-pounder skated in 62 games with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season, registering 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points, along with 37 penalty minutes. He established OHL career-highs in several categories in 2019-20, including assists, points, and shots on goal (200). Cuylle tied for third on Windsor in power-play goals (seven), ranked fourth in shots on goal, and ranked fifth in goals last season. Cuylle skated in 125 career OHL games over two seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20), both with Windsor, registering 48 goals and 35 assists for 83 points, along with 87 penalty minutes. He was named to the OHL’s Second All-Rookie Team in 2018-19, as he ranked fifth among OHL rookies in goals (26) and ranked seventh among OHL rookies in points (41) during the season. Cuylle was one of only four OHL players in their U18 season or younger who registered at least 20 goals in both 2018-19 and 2019-20. He helped Windsor advance to the 2019 OHL Playoffs and tallied three points (two goals, one assist) in four playoff contests. Cuylle was originally selected by Peterborough with the third overall pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection Draft.