In just his first full American Hockey League (AHL) season, former Yorkton Terrier star and Springside native Chad Nehring has found himself to be one of the top offensive stars on his team.
Nehring, 28, led the New York Rangers鈥� AHL-affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack with 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points through 76 games, in a breakout season that saw him work his way up to the top line from the fourth line. 鈥淚 started the season on the fourth line, but had a good start to the season and it led to getting more ice time and better opportunities and my offensive numbers increased and I ended up having a good season,鈥� said Nehring, adding that his hard work, especially in the defensive zone, is what earned him more ice time. 鈥淚 feel like it鈥檚 one of my biggest things and it鈥檚 one of the reasons why I made it to this league.
鈥淚鈥檓 good on faceoffs, on the penalty kill and I鈥檓 a defensive zone guy and I take pride in that, so because of my play there, I feel like that鈥檚 what earned me more ice time.鈥�
Nehring also led the Wolf Pack in plus/minus with a +16 rating despite constantly finding himself playing against the top players on the opposing teams, proving that his defensive play never waivered as his offensive game increased.
Because of his impressive season, Nehring now feels that he鈥檒l be approached by several NHL teams once the July 1 NHL Free Agency period begins. 鈥淏eing an older guy helps because that means I鈥檒l be an unrestricted free agent (UFA), so July 1 will be the free agency day for the NHL and considering the numbers I had and the year I had, it looks like it will be a pretty exciting and promising summer,鈥� mentioned Nehring, adding that if no NHL offers come, he鈥檒l also consider suitors from overseas. 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely looking for the NHL deals first, and if that doesn鈥檛 come then I鈥檓 definitely considering moving across the ocean.鈥�
Through 129 career AHL games, Nehring has 26 goals and 34 assists for 60 points, a +18 rating and 92 PIM.
He has also spent time in the Central Hockey League with the Arizona Sundogs, the East Coast Hockey League with the Idaho Steelheads, Las Vegas Wranglers and Greenville Road Warriors and the NCAA with Lake Superior State.
