In a New York State of Mind

Last season, as Dominic Moore ’03 earned All-American honors, became Harvard’s first 20-goal, 50-point man in nearly a decade, and scored the most points in the nation during a 12-game stretch before the NCAA tournament, all the former captain was trying to do was get his team to the Frozen Four.

But when those hopes faded with a 6-4 loss to Boston University on Mar. 28, Moore had this consolation to bring with him into the off-season: bargaining power.

And that was a big reason why it took until Monday for the New York Rangers, who drafted him in the third round (95th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, to sign him to a professional contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The deal came in time for him to report to Rangers training camp, which began this week in Burlington, Vt.

“Dominic had a terrific, terrific four years at Harvard, and the last half of last year was exceptional,” said Don Maloney, Rangers vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager. “Right from the end of the season, we had some discussions with him, but these things tend to take on a certain speed of their own … but with the pressures of getting him into camp, things came together quickly in the last week or so.

“We would’ve liked for the deal to have gotten done in May, but the important thing was that it got done.”

Maloney said Moore will “probably” spend some time with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, though wouldn’t rule out a jump to the NHL.

“Dominic is physically developed and mentally developed, so the only question is going to be how quickly he can adapt to the pro game and bigger, stronger players,” Maloney said. “He’s smart enough and skilled enough to step into the NHL.

“We’re due for a surprise here—maybe he’ll be it.”

In other pro news, Nowak is one of 17 centers on the Boston Bruins’ training camp roster. He’s wearing unfamiliar No. 67, as No. 15—his number for four seasons at Harvard—hangs from the FleetCenter rafters in honor of all-time great Bruins center Milt Schmidt.

—Staff writer Jon P. Morosi can be reached at morosi@fas.harvard.edu.