Jed Ortmeyer
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Position | Right Wing |
Shoots | Right |
Height Weight |
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 197 lb (90 kg) |
NHL Team | New York Rangers |
Nationality | ![]() |
Born | September 3, 1978, Omaha, NE, US |
NHL Draft | undrafted |
Pro Career | 2003 – present |
Jed Ortmeyer (born September 3, 1978, in Omaha, Nebraska, USA) is a professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers. He is a defensive forward who plays right wing and is known for his good work ethic and his shot-blocking ability; he wears number 41.
[edit] Playing career
Ortmeyer started his career with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL in 1997. His first season, he was third on the team in scoring; his second, he led the team in goals and points. While on the Lancers, Ortmeyer played with two other future-NHLers: Duvie Westcott of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ryan Malone of the Pittsburgh Penguins. After two years with the team, he left to begin his NCAA college hockey career.
From 1999 through 2003, Ortmeyer played under coach Red Berenson with the University of Michigan Wolverines, in the CCHA. While at Michigan, Ortmeyer's teammates included future NHL players Mike Comrie, Jeff Jillson, Andy Hilbert, Mike Cammalleri, Mike Komisarek, and fellow New York Rangers draft pick Al Montoya.
In the 2003-04 NHL season, Ortmeyer split time between the New York Rangers and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He made his Rangers' debut on November 15, 2003 against the New Jersey Devils. Ortmeyer scored his first NHL goal with the Rangers on November 25, 2003 against Nikolai Khabibulin, then playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He went on to finish the season with two goals and four assists with the Rangers, but made a greater impression with his hard work and strong play.
During the NHL lockout, Ortmeyer returned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Playing with the Rangers full-time in the 2005-06 NHL season, Jed is one of the team's top penalty-killers, and, at even-strength, his defensive style of play helps shut down the opponent's top players. He often played on a line with Dominic Moore and Ryan Hollweg, known as the "HMO" line. The three players provided energy with their strong checking, however in the 2006 offseason the trade of Moore to the Pittsburgh Penguins broke up the line.
Ortmeyer's brother, Jake Ortmeyer, is also a professional hockey player. He currently plays with the Charlotte Checkers of the East Coast Hockey League, a minor league team also affiliated with the New York Rangers.
On August 14, 2006 Ortmeyer was sidelined indefinitely after he was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. On January 2, 2007, one day after his self-predicted return date, Ortmeyer returned to the line-up after a conditioning stint with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Serving in a limited role while recovering, he played 5:35 during two periods of action. He has just recently been recalled from Hartford and on his sixth game back, scored on a short handed penalty shot against the Boston Bruins to assure the Rangers victory.
[edit] Awards
- USHL All-Rookie Team (1997-98)
- USHL All-Star Team - Second Team All-Star (1997-98)
- Hal Downes Tropy - University of Michigan MVP (2001-02)
- NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team (2001-02)
- CCHA Super Six All- Tournament Team (2001-02)
- Named team captain of the Michigan Wolverines (2002-03)
- Hal Downes Tropy - University of Michigan MVP (2002-03)
- CCHA Best Defensive Forward Award (2002-03)
- NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team (2002-03)
- Bill Beagan Trophy - MVP of the CCHA Super Six (2002-03)
- Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award - Awarded based on fan votes to the New York Ranger recognized for going "above and beyond the call of duty" (2003-04), (2006-07)