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The New York Rangers offered the right opportunity and situation to win hockeys late-summer showcase: the Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes.Vesey chose the Rangers from among eight finalists, agreeing to terms on a two-year entry-level contract Friday that marks the coveted college free agents next step to the NHL. The Hobey Baker winner as the NCAAs player of the year said the Rangers won out because of their intense interest in him, among other factors.The thing that jumped out at me was that they came to really want me, Vesey said on a conference call. It seemed that they really needed to have me in their lineup and it seemed that they believe in me. That was something that I was looking for.Vesey, who had 24 goals and 22 assists in 33 games for Harvard last season, couldve been a top-six forward for the Nashville Predators, who drafted him 66th overall in 2012. But Vesey told the Predators hed explore free agency rather than sign, so they traded his rights in June to the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick.Taking a calculated risk for the inside track, the Sabres were in the mix to sign Vesey along with the Rangers, Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins and his hometown Boston Bruins. Vesey said he and his representatives looked at each teams depth chart before meeting to get an idea where he might best fit in.Vesey felt he could plug in right away for the Rangers, and figures to be a top-nine forward, even if general manager Jeff Gorton made no official promises on where hed fit in the lineup.I never got the feeling that he was looking for any kind of promise, Gorton said on a conference call. I think that hes a pretty proud guy. Hes very confident in his ability. When he looks at our team, I think he sees an opportunity to play. I think he likes the fact that some other players that we brought in recently have gotten an opportunity as young players.Former captain Chris Drury, the 1998 Hobey Baker winner, helped sell the Rangers along with coach Alain Vigneault and one of Veseys childhood friends, winger Kevin Hayes, who also went unsigned out of Boston College and had 45 points in his rookie season.Hayes was a big deal two summers ago when he spurned the Blackhawks for the Rangers, but Veseys process admittedly took on a life of its own. It wasnt like The Decision with LeBron James, and the 23-year-old said he didnt expect or want this kind of attention and isnt worried about it shifting more pressure to him in New York.They dont expect me to come in and be a savior, Vesey said. I think Im just a piece they want to add, and hopefully I can help the New York Rangers win hockey games.The 6-foot-3, 203-pound forward from North Reading, Massachusetts, native had 144 points in 128 games at Harvard, so that level of production will bring the spotlight. So will the fact that several celebrities and New York-area athletes took to Twitter to convince Vesey to go there.Darryl McDaniels from Run-DMC, actress Susan Sarandon, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson and former Giants defensive end Justin Tuck were among those who tweeted at Vesey vouching for the Rangers. Vesey said he tried to stay off social media this week, but had friends texting him the tweets, so he was well aware of what was going on.They were pretty funny and pretty cool that those celebrities were reaching out to me, Vesey said. I dont think it had a factor in the decision, so to speak, but one of the things I definitely liked about New York was the top-notch lifestyle that the city offers.Something had to tip the scales because NHL rules limit the contract to two years with a base salary of $925,000 and bonuses. Every team could give Vesey the maximum money, so he had to decide based on the right fit.The Rangers have been looking to get younger after not making a first-round pick since 2012. Vesey fits that bill.We have a really good player with a lot of intangibles, Gorton said. Hes got an ability to score, he can make plays, hes a very talented player.Kevin Love Jersey . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. Roy Hinson Jersey . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. https://www.cheapcavaliers.com/532q-derek-anderson-jersey-cavaliers.html . -- Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL. Brevin Knight Jersey . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Jim Cleamons Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again.UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Jantel Lavender scored a career-high 25 points and the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Connecticut Sun 98-92 in overtime Friday night to tie the 1998 Houston Comets for the best start in WNBA history.Lavender added a season-high 10 rebounds, and Kristi Tolliver scored eight of her 24 points in overtime for the Sparks (20-1). Theyve won nine in a row and are 9-0 on the road.Tolliver made the last of her four 3s to give the Sparks a 93-92 lead with 1:31 left in overtime and ignite an 8-0 run to close the game.Connecticut (6-15) missed its final three field-goal attempts and committed turnovers on three consecutive possessions after Tollivers clinching 3-pointer.Nneka Ogwumike added 22 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles.Thomas had 17 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for the Sun. Chiney Ogwumike, Nnekas sister, had 16 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.LYNX 88, LIBERTY 70MINNEAPOLIS -- Seimone Augustus had 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting in her return from a knee injury, and Maya Moore added 15 to help Minnesota cruise past New York.Augustus, who missed three games due to a sore left knee, grabbed a season-high seven rebounds and hhad four assists.dddddddddddd Janel McCarville scored a season-best 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting for Minnesota (18-4).Tina Charles had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Zellous added 11 points for the Liberty (16-7).FEVER 78, DREAM 72INDIANAPOLIS -- Tamika Catchings and Lynetta Kizer scored 18 points apiece, Briann January keyed a fourth-quarter run and Indiana overcame an 11-point deficit to beat Atlanta.Catchings was 7 of 9 from the field. and Kizer had a career-best five steals. Erlana Larkins added 10 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high five assists, and Shenise Johnson had 10 points for Indiana (10-12).Carla Cortijo scored a career-high 20 points for Atlanta (11-11).SKY 84, WINGS 77ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Elena Delle Donne had 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting and Allie Quigley hit a late 3-pointer to help Chicago beat Dallas.Jamierra Faulkner added 13 points and six assists, and Quigley finished with 10 points for Chicago (9-12). Plenette Pierson hit a career-high five 3-pointers and finished with 20 points for the Wings (9-13). ' ' '