Good morning New York sports fans! If you're a fan of one of three local NHL teams it was a long regular season, but a fun Friday night for you. Two of the first five picks came from squads from the tri-state area, while the New York Rangers selected No. 15. Here's a brief look at who was picked:
NHL Draft Results: New Jersey Devils select Adam Larsson, Defensmen, Swedish Elite League: With the fourth overall pick, the Devils went with Larsson, who SB Nation's Zachary Zielonka described as, "a big, hulking defenseman, the top-ranked European skater according to Central Scouting and the top-ranked defenseman in the 2011 draft class.
NHL Draft Results: New York Islanders select Ryan Storme, Center, Ontario Hockey League: Just a pick later (No. 5), the Islanders went with offense with Strome.
"Strome scored 106 points in the 2010-11 season with Niagara, and a lot of scouts expected his season to wind down after a furious start to the year," wrote Zielonka.
NHL Draft Results: New York Rangers select Jonathan Miller, Center, United States National Team Development Program: At No. 15, the Rangers picked Miller, who's "a 6-foot-1, 198 pound center is committed to the University of North Dakota for next season, and is a two-way player with a very unrefined offensive game".
"Heading into the 2011 NHL draft, it was clear that the New York Rangers would be targeting a forward," wrote SB Nation NY's Jimmy Hascup. "WIth a stud goaltender and a solid core of defensemen, the Blueshirts needed a skilled player up front. Luckily for them, that desire came true."
(For a list of the first-round selections click here.)
Rockies 4, Yankees 2: Ubaldo Jimenez fanned seven batters over seven strong innings and ex-Yankee Jason Giambi went 3-for-4 with a homer leading Colorado to a victory at Yankee Stadium.
Rangers 8, Mets 1: Matt Harrison threw seven strong innings Friday, and Adrian Beltre and the Texas Rangers offense did the rest in victory in Arlington.