Boston College Standout Chris Kreider Sees Stanley Cup Playoff Action Just Nine Days After National Title

by Connor Rose on Mon, Apr 16, 2012 at 8:56PM

It's rare for a player to make his NHL debut during the Stanley Cup playoffs. But after signing a three-year contract with the New York Rangers, that's exactly what Chris Kreider did.

Just six days after signing his entry-level contract and nine days after winning a national championship with Boston College, Kreider got on the ice for Game 3 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Ottawa Senators.

The Boston College star was drafted 19th overall in 2009 as an 18-year old. Now 20, he's skating in the NHL after Carl Hagelin's three-game suspension forced the Rangers to plug the hole with Kreider, according to the NYDailyNews.com.

Hagelin was suspended after hitting the Senators' Daniel Alfredsson with his elbow during overtime of Game 2, giving him a concussion. Alfredsson is not available for Game 3.

"It's been a learning process, but if they need me, I'm ready to go," Kreider told the Daily News on Sunday in Greenburgh. "I don't think I'd be here if I didn't feel that I was ready. I think I'd be back at school taking class. If they need me, then I'll try to do what's asked of me."