Rangers' Coach Praises Rookie for 1st Career Fight: 'Adding Layers'

New York Rangers rookie Adam Edstrom might not have planned to fight during Saturday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, but when the 6-foot-7 forward squared off with Utah’s Jack McBain, he more than held his own.

In fact, the battle marked the first time Edstrom had ever dropped the gloves in his hockey career, something that both surprised and impressed his head coach, Peter Laviolette.

“I thought he did a good job in the fight,” Laviolette told reporters after Sunday's practice . “Obviously, he’s a big guy, he’s heavy, he’s strong, he’s really fit.

"He jumped in, it was a scuffle, he got into one and I thought he did a good job.”

Edstrom’s first NHL fight came midway through the second period of the Rangers' 6–5 overtime loss, in a bizarre game that saw seven goals scored, multiple fights, and 50 total penalty minutes.

Despite the chaos, Edstrom’s fight with McBain stood out with the towering Swede landing several heavy punches before the two tumbled to the ice.

Both players were given game misconducts as their bout followed another fight between Rangers' Sam Carrick and Utah’s Michael Kesselring.

Edstrom, who turned 24 on the day of the fight, admitted he hadn’t fought at any level of hockey before even boasting such a massive frame. “Yeah, that’s the first one,” Edstrom said, via Newsday .

The rookie was asked about where he found his inspiration and honed his fighting skills, and he pointed out the most obvious (and expected) possibility: linemate Matt Rempe.

“I’ve talked to this guy”, Edstrom said referencing Rempe.

Even though fighting is most definitely not a trait needed to excel at hockey in the NHL, Laviolette found it positive and believes it adds a new element to Edstrom's game.

“Any time you start adding layers to your game, you’re adding pieces that can help the team. That’s a good thing,” Laviolette said.

For his part, Edstrom seemed ready to embrace his role as an enforcer going forward.

“I mean, yeah, it was all right," Edstrom said. "We were scrapping, so yeah, it was fun."

Related: Watch: Rangers and Utah HC Play Bizarro OT Game Featuring 2 Fights