New York Rangers sign Jaroslav Chmelar to entry-level contract

The 20-year-old spent the 2023-24 campaign with the Providence College Friars in the NCAA. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound winger notched five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 26 games while adding 29 penalty minutes. Chmelar was one of six players on the Friras to have hit double-digit assists. He ranked ninth among skaters in points and sixth in assists. Should be noted that Chmelar underwent wrist surgery in November.

Last season, while playing with the Friars as a freshman, Chmelar notched seven goals and six assists for 13 points in 33 games. In a combined 59 NCAA games, Chmelar totalled 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points.

Chmelar becomes the most recent signing out of Providence College after the Dallas Stars inked defenseman Luke Krys to an entry-level contract on Tuesday.

The Nove Mesto nad Metuji, Czechia product spent the 2021-22 season with Jokerit U20 in the Finnish junior league prior to coming over to North America. He posted nine goals and 18 points in 39 games.

On the international stage, Chmelar represented Czchia at the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Championships. In 2023, he helped his native country capture a silver medal in dramatic fashion. Throughout the tournament, Chmelar notched three goals and five assists in seven games. He also represented Czechia at the 2021 Under-18 Championships, notching two points in five games.

It is expected that Chmelar will be assigned to the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Hartford Wolf Pack to round out the 2023-24 regular season. Harford currently ranks fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 29-20-7-2 record and 67 points through 58 games.