This shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone.
The London Knights were officially informed yesterday that defenceman Michael Del Zotto will be remaining with the National Hockey League's New York Rangers.
"I was talking to Gordie Clark of the Rangers and he told me that Del Zotto won't be coming back," Knights general manager Mark Hunter said.
Clark is the National Hockey League club's direction of player personnel.
Del Zotto, 19, has been one of the Rangers' best players this year.
Last night's game against San Jose was Del Zotto's ninth of the season, meaning it is the last he could play before his entry level contract kicks in.
Del Zotto was tied with Philadelphia's Matt Carle for the NHL lead in scoring by defencemen with three goals and five assists before last night's game.
Hunter found out late last week that the Rangers had told Del Zotto to find a permanent place to live.
"It certainly isn't a shock," Hunter said. "The way he's played, we expected he would be there. He deserves to be there."
Del Zotto came to the Knights as part of the trade that brought John Tavares from the Oshawa Generals. He became a dominant player through last year's playoffs.
