NEW YORK, Dec. 28 -- The New York Rangers Thursday traded left wing Stephane Matteau to the St. Louis Blues for center Ian Laperriere. The 26-year-old Matteau played with New York for the past two seasons after spending three years with the Chicago Blackhawks and one with the Calgary Flames.
Matteau, a 6-foot-3, 210-pounder, had four goals, two assists and 22 penalty minutes this season. Matteau scored one of the most memorable goals in Rangers' history in the second overtime of Game 7 against New Jersey two seasons ago for the Eastern Conference Championship. 'We are pleased to add Stephane Matteau to our club,' said Mike Keenan, the Blues' coach and general manager. Keenan coached Matteau previously at Chicago and with the Rangers. Matteau is the fourth former Rangers on the Blues, joining wingers Greg Gilbert and Brian Noonan and defenseman Jay Wells. Laperriere, who will be 22 next month, has three goals and six assists for nine points in 33 games this season. In his first full season last year, Laperriere ranked fourth among rookies with 27 points, third in assists with 14 and sixth in goals with 13. He compiled a 24.5 shooting percentage and became the first rookie to lead the league in that category since Warren Young of Pittsburgh in 1984-85.
