Jarret Stoll’s tumultuous off-season has finally taken a turn in the right direction.
The former Kootenay Ice captain signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the NHL’s New York Rangers on Monday morning, putting behind him an off-season that began in April with a Las Vegas arrest and felony cocaine possession charge.
The felony cocaine possession charge was eventually dropped as Stoll pleaded guilty to one count of provoking commission of breach of peace and one count of trespass. The plea resulted in a sentencing of 32 hours community service.
According to Associated Press, Stoll is also starting a program to help others understand the dangers of using alcohol and controlled substances.
Stoll, 33, posted six goals and 17 points in 73 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season. He will look to rebound in 2015-16, both off and on the ice, as a member of the Rangers.
The centre’s one-year, $800,000 contract on Broadway follows a three-year, $9.75-million deal in Hollywood that expired at the conclusion of the 2014-15 campaign.
The native of Melville is a veteran of 792 NHL games with 140 goals and 379 points to his credit.
He helped the Kings to Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014.
Prior to embarking on a successful professional career, the 6-foot-1 pivot was the first-overall selection of the Edmonton Ice at the 1997 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.
With the Ice franchise, Stoll posted 286 points in 245 games. He was the franchise all-time leader in scoring until being surpassed by Sam Reinhart (319 points) during the 2014-15 WHL season.
While with the Ice, Stoll helped the club to its only Memorial Cup championship (2002) as well as a pair of WHL championships (2000, 2002).
