Son of ex-Ranger Erixon skates for a job

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- With the stopwatch running, Rangers prospect Tim Erixon skated hard, head down, from one crease toward the other. About 180 feet later, he looked up and was startled to see skating tutor Barbara Underhill -- dead ahead -- filming his stride.

Erixon, who hadn't skated since mid-May, barely hit the brakes in time, showering Underhill, a petite former Olympic pairs skater, with ice shavings. The 6-3 Swede sheepishly apologized while his teammates hooted from the bench. Underhill, who successfully worked with center Brian Boyle last summer, smiled and took it in stride. "That was a wake-up call," Erixon said later.

It could be the first of several for the 20-year-old Swedish defenseman, who was acquired from Calgary on June 1 for two second-round draft picks and Roman Horak. On the first day of prospect camp, there were simply laps and sprints with the brass watching; the scrimmages begin Tuesday.

"I started a little soft there," said Erixon, who hadn't skated since playing in the World Championships. "That's a long time, I could feel that out there. But you get going right away."

Erixon, who was born in Port Chester while his dad, Jan, was playing for the Rangers, returned to Sweden two years later. He is one of six invitees whose fathers played in the NHL. Ryan Bourque's father is former Bruins defenseman Ray; Christian Thomas' dad is former Islander Steve; Michael St. Croix's dad, Rick, was a goalie for several teams; Victor Kamensky's dad, Valeri, was a Ranger from 1999-2001, and Donny Maloney is the son of the former Rangers forward and current Coyotes GM.

After two years in the Swedish Elite League, Erixon is the closest of the six to wearing a Rangers uniform in October. He's not taking anything for granted, though. "I have to be ready to fight for a spot," Erixon said. "That's my goal, just focus on playing well."

Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark believes that by playing in the SEL, Erixon is on the cusp of joining the top six. "I think I improved on both ends of the ice and got stronger," Erixon said. "You get to play against the big guys."

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Michigan grad Carl Hagelin, a Swedish native, said he has taken Erixon and two other Swedes in camp, 2010 pick Jesper Fasth and Oscar Lindberg, under his wing. First lesson: Check opponents, not the skating coach.

Notes & quotes: For the Rangers to buy out the final year of Chris Drury's contract to clear $3.3 million of cap space this season by Thursday's deadline, he must be placed on waivers Tuesday . . . G Chad Johnson, D Pavel Valentanko, C Brodie Dupont and other RFAs (except Justin Soryal and Devin DiDiomete) with the Connecticut Whale have received qualifying offers.