Puempel, 24, split this past season between the Rangers and Ottawa Senators, registering six goals and three assists for nine points, along with 11 penalty minutes in 40 games. He skated in 27 games with the Rangers after he was claimed off waivers from Ottawa on November 21, 2016, recording nine points (six goals, three assists) and four penalty minutes in those contests. Puempel ranked third on the Rangers in goals per 60 minutes of ice time (1.31) and tied for sixth on the team in goals per game (0.22) in 2016-17.
The 6-1, 205-pounder registered his first goal/point as a Ranger while making his debut with the team on November 25, 2016 at Philadelphia. He recorded his first career NHL hat trick on December 29, 2016 at Arizona, and he became the first Ranger to tally three power play goals in one game since Mike Gartner on January 31, 1994. Puempel also recorded eight points (five goals, three assists) in his final 19 regular season games in 2016-17.
Puempel has skated in 79 career NHL games over parts of three seasons with the Rangers and Ottawa (2014-15 - 2016-17), registering 10 goals and five assists for 15 points, along with 28 penalty minutes. Puempel made his NHL debut on February 21, 2015 vs. Florida and registered his first career NHL goal/point on March 10, 2015 vs. Boston.
The Windsor, Ontario, native was selected by Ottawa in the first round, 24th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
