Former University of Maine winger Barrett Heisten, who was the third highest scoring rookie in the Western Hockey League (Major Junior A) this past season with 20 goals and 57 assists in 58 games for Seattle, has signed a free agent contract with the New York Rangers.

The former first round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 1999, the 20th overall choice, notched 25 goals, 40 assists and 158 penalty minutes in his two seasons at Maine.

“I’m very excited that this process is finally over and I’m very thrilled to be a part of the New York Rangers,” said the 6-foot-1, 191-pound Heisten, a 21-year-old native of Anchorage, Alaska in a press release. “The Rangers have shown a great deal of interest in me and it’s an amazing feeling to now be a part of their organization.”

Rangers VP of Player Development and Assistant General Manager Don Maloney said, “We really liked him in his draft year in 1999. He’s a very competitive and energetic player.”