Last year, the question surrounding Jimmy Vesey was: Where would he play his rookie season?
The question remained unanswered until the forward signed with the New York Rangers on Aug. 19.
Following the inking of the deal with the Blueshirts, Vesey (North Reading, Mass.) took time to get to know his new team before preparing for his first training camp in New York. The Harvard alum was able to make the jump from college to the National Hockey League and show the Rangers why he was a prized signing. The 24-year-old netted 16 goals and tallied 11 assists during the regular season and scored five points (one goal and four assists) in the playoffs during his first season on Broadway.
With one season under his belt, Vesey is ready to take another step in his second season in the NHL. During the offseason, the left wing went back to Boston, where he trained with teammate and friend Kevin Hayes (Dorchester, Mass.). The duo hit the gym and skated together along with playing in the Foxboro Pro League.
Having Hayes by his side during the summer motivated Vesey. "It’s good to have someone there beside you to push you," Vesey said. "The gym we work out in is a competitive environment with a lot of NHL guys. Having Kevin there to push me every step of the way was really good."
Training with Hayes also showed Vesey how to prepare for an upcoming season. Through training, Hayes, who also was signed as a rookie free agent, has improved his game each year he has been in New York. "Each of the past two seasons he’s been in better shape," Vesey said of Hayes. "He’s been flying out here. It’s fun to play with someone that’s playing so well."
The offseason workouts prepared Vesey for his second training camp. The 2016 Hobey Baker recipient arrived at the Madison Square Garden Training Center ready to make a difference. Vesey’s training showed in the individual testing, which is done when the team first reports.
"I knew what the testing was going to be," he said. "Last summer, I didn’t sign until halfway through August, so I was a little bit better prepared (this season) and all my testing scores were up, and I am just stronger and a little bit bigger. I am excited for the year."
The next step after testing is getting ready for the season with training camp practice. Here the team skates in lines and works on game situation and one-on-one drills. They also work on conditioning. Early in camp, Vesey was paired with Hayes, and the two have displayed chemistry.
As the preseason approached, Vesey kept his game plan simple. "Just playing a 200-foot game and make sure I am skating all the time," he said. "When I am moving my feet, that’s when I am at my best. Just want to have a good however many games I get into the lineup for and carry that over into the season."
The 6-foot-3, 206-pound left wing was at his best last year when he used his size and speed to cut to the net. He also displayed his ability to set up his teammates, and he was big in crunch time, netting six game-winning goals in 2016-17. Vesey also recorded eight power-play points and showed he could be counted on in the defensive end.
His play during year one caught the eye of his Rangers teammates. "He’s a good power forward," veteran Rick Nash said. "He’s an up and down guy; he’s got great hands. He uses his body. It seems like for playing one season he has a pretty mature defensive game."
Vesey is looking to build off of a strong first season and use it to make strides and to get better. He also wants to add something to his play.
"Consistency," he said. "I showed some flashes last year, where I played good for a good stretch. I want to be doing that every night. Even if it’s not scoring goals, it’s being accountable in my own zone and being someone that Coach can put out in any situation."
‘I was a little bit better prepared and all my testing scores were up, and I am just stronger and a little bit bigger. I am excited for the year.’
Along with getting used to the play on the ice, Vesey had to adapt life in New York City. Coming from the Boston area, the jump to the Big Apple went smoothly.
"Boston’s a pretty big city in itself," he said. "New York is definitely one of kind, but I loved it last year, living downtown."
Vesey spent the season living with defenseman Brady Skjei. The two spent time exploring the city and enjoying the different activities it had to offer, like going out to eat. Vesey likes eating at Carbone, an Italian restaurant in Manhattan. He also tested his pizzatasting ability, appearing on the Barstool Sports’ series, "One Bite." Vesey, Skjei, Hayes and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy went to Prince Street Pizza, ate a cheese slice and scored it. Following the sample, Vesey gave the regular slice a 7.7 and the "spicy spring" slice an 8.5.
In a new city, Vesey was able to enjoy New York with some of his teammates.
"Tribeca is a really good spot," he said. "It’s good that I am living with Brady and Kevin. It should be a fun year."
The forward also is able to get together with his college friends and step away from business on the ice during days off. "I have friends from Harvard outside of hockey as well, so seeing them and hanging out with them is a good outlet for me to get away from the game on off days," Vesey said.
Vesey stepped onto the Madison Square Garden ice and lived up to the hype his first year with the Blueshirts. He was able to adjust to the NHL game and a new city. Going into his second year, he is looking to bring his game to the next level and help the Rangers compete to be one of the top teams in the Metropolitan Division.
