Ken Gernander, who coaches Hartford of the American Hockey League, is coaching the Rangers prospects. He has put Vesey in every possible situation, and the hard-working left wing has succeeded. He scored his first goal in a Rangers jersey in an overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the tournament opener Friday.
"He's a player with good size (6-foot-2, 201 pounds) and he's been strong on the puck, has made some good plays defensively," Gernander said. "On his goal, the puck, more or less, just went off him, but he's going to the net. You're always trying to get guys go to the net. If you can get a skilled guy who is going to those areas, it's good."
Vesey has played 5-on-5, and has seen plenty of time on the power play and penalty kill. He's not afraid to position himself in front of the net with the hope of getting a deflection or rebound, and he's comfortable sticking up for himself. He has absorbed more than his share of big hits but hasn't been fazed.
"I'm just a bigger guy, and the NHL is a big league and a skating league, so I'm just going to have to use my skating and size to hold onto pucks, make plays in the open ice, and finish plays when I get a chance," he said.
Vesey has worked exclusively with center Cristoval Nieves (2012 NHL Draft, No. 59), his roommate here. Vesey said he worked out with Nieves and Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel, among others.
"I've talked to those guys, so that helps me see what I'm up against, so to speak," Vesey said. "To see how those guys work out and train. I'm always asking them for tips, and they've been pretty important resources for me this summer."