According to multiple sources, New York Rangers fourth round selection and former North Dakota recruit Ryan Mantha is close to signing with the Niagara IceDogs in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
A New York Rangers source indicated that academics were prohibiting the Clarkston, Mich. native from passing through the NCAA Clearinghouse. His OHL rights were traded from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to the IceDogs earlier this month.
A 6-5 defenseman, Mantha isn't overly physical for a player his size. He does have good stick skills from the backend. He was traded mid-season from the Sioux City Musketeers to the Indiana Ice where he was part of the USHL Clark Cup Champions.
His USHL rights are now owned by the Muskegon Lumberjacks after that organization grabbed him in the USHL Dispersal Draft.