NEW YORK - Senior goaltender Tyler Wall (Leamington, Ont.) of the UMass Lowell Hockey team signed an entry level contract with the New York Rangers, which was announced by the team on Friday evening. 

Wall, who was selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round with the 174^th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, was named a Hockey East Third-Team All-Star. He was one of 10 semifinalists for the Mike Richter Award, in addition to being named MVP of the River Hawks in his senior campaign. 

"I am beyond blessed to officially become a Ranger," said Wall. "I can't thank my family, friends, teammates and coaches enough for the constant love and support. Thanks to UMass Lowell for an unforgettable past four years. I am looking forward to getting things rolling with the Rangers."

He finished his senior season with a 18-8-6 record, starting 32 of 34 games for the River Hawks during the 2019-20 season. He posted a 2.10 GAA with a .931 save percentage and two shutouts. Wall ranked second in Hockey East and tied for ninth in the nation with a .931 save percentage. His 924 saves also ranked eighth nationally among Div. I goaltenders. Wall allowed two goals or fewer in 22 of 32 starts and amassed 30+ saves in 16 contents for the River Hawks. He was named the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week on six different occasions this season.

Wall also served as an alternate captain in 2019-20, becoming the first UMass Lowell goaltender to wear either a 'C' or an 'A' on his jersey since Dwayne Roloson in 1993-94.

"Tyler is an exceptional young man who truly embodies the word student-athlete," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Norm Bazin. "He returned to UMass Lowell for his senior year to dominate athletically and complete the requirements for an engineering degree. He was able to accomplish both goals. He is graduating as a Mechanical Engineer from a world class university and now will have an opportunity to pursue his dream of playing professionally with an Original Six franchise, the New York Rangers. We are excited for Tyler and wish him well as he enters the next chapter of his hockey career. He will soon join a long list of NHL goalies to come out of UMass Lowell."

The 6-3, 214-pounder appeared in 103 career collegiate games over four seasons (2016-20) with UMass Lowell, posting a 58-34-10 record, along with a 2.28 GAA, a .918 SV%, and nine shutouts. Wall's 58 career wins with UMass Lowell are the most by a goaltender in the school's DI era, which broke Dwayne Roloson's record of 51 wins. He established collegiate career bests in appearances (37), wins (26), and GAA (2.06) as a freshman in 2016-17, and he established a UMass Lowell record for wins by a rookie goaltender (he broke the record previously held by Connor Hellebuyck). Wall also helped UMass Lowell win the Hockey East Championship in 2016-17, and he was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team. He posted a 2.10 GAA or better in three of his four collegiate seasons.

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