New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced Thursday that forward Jed Ortmeyer has been medically cleared to play and will report to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) on a conditioning assignment.
Ortmeyer is now officially back on the Rangers active roster for the first time since being diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism on Aug. 13. Although he will begin his final conditioning assignment in Hartford, he is now eligible to return to the NHL and play for the Rangers at any time.
The 6-0, 197-pound forward's return to active status has been more than a month in the making. He was cleared for contact in practice on Nov. 24 after medical testing showed he was ready to take the next step in his recovery from the pulmonary embolism.
Ortmeyer, 28, has already registered one goal and two assists, along with a plus-two rating in five games with Hartford (AHL) this season after being sent to the Wolf Pack on Dec. 12 on a conditioning loan, allowed for players who have had long-term illnesses. He gained final clearance to resume his NHL career following a recall to the Rangers on Tuesday.
Also on Thursday, Sather announced that defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh has not reported to Hartford due to symptoms from a knee condition. He will continue to be reviewed and treated under the direction of the Rangers' medical staff, and has been placed on Injured Reserve while his treatment continues.
Ozolinsh, 34, has registered three assists and eight penalty minutes in 21 games with the Rangers this season.
