The New York Rangers obtained the rights to defenseman Tim Erixon and a fifth-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft from the Calgary Flames on Wednesday in exchange for forward Roman Horak and a pair of second-round picks in the 2011 Entry Draft.
The Rangers then signed Erixon, a first-round selection by the Flames in 2009, to an entry-level contract. The son of former Rangers forward Jan Erixon, he would have gone back into this year's draft pool if he hadn't been signed by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
"Tim is an outstanding young defenseman with good size and mobility," Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather said. "He plays a complete, all-around game, and we feel he is an excellent addition to our developing, young defense corps."
Erixon compiled 5 goals and 24 points in 48 games this past season for Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League. In 140 career games with the team, he has totals of 14 goals and 44 points. He also captured a silver medal with Team Sweden at the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia and helped his team to medals at the 2009 and 2010 World Junior Championships.
"Once we realized that we were not going to be able to come to terms with Tim Erixon, we wanted to make sure we turned that pick into an asset," Flames General Manager Jay Feaster said. "We are excited to be able to get a player of Roman’s caliber in addition to landing two second round picks in the upcoming draft."
Horak, a fifth-round pick of the Rangers in 2009, recently completed his second season with the Chilliwack Bruins of the Western Hockey League, scoring a career-high 26 goals and finishing with 78 points.
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