Draft:Drew Fortescue
Drew Fortescue is an American ice hockey defenseman who plays for the Boston College Eagles as a prospect for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Fortescue was drafted by the Rangers in the 3rd round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft with the 90th pick of the draft.[1] The Rangers traded a 7th round draft pick to move up one spot in the draft to make sure they could draft Fortescue.[2]
Prior to the 2024-25 season, USA Today writer Vincent Z. Mercogliano rated Fortescue as the Rangers' 6th best prospect and The Hockey News rated him as the Rangers' 5th best prospect.[1][3] He is a reliable stay-at-home defenseman who has not produced much offense.[1][4] He is also a strong penalty killer.[4] The Hockey News said "He makes life hard for the opposition and uses his stick well."[3] Scout Jess Rubenstein rated him as the Rangers' best defeneman prospect entering the 2024-25 season and said "I like his sizea nd on-ice vision. He plays a clean, physical game but needs more offense."[3] One NHL executive compared him to gritty Ranger defenseman Ryan Lindgren.[5] According to Eagles' head coach Greg Brown:
He was relied on in key situations. Right away as a freshman, he showed that he could handle playing against the other team's top players...He's very good at breaking pucks out. He can see his options quickly and find the open guy. I think that was probably his one of his top strengths...He had no fear in finding the middle if that was the right play, and he could execute on a high level."[1]
Before playing for Boston College he was in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.[4][6] He also played youth hockey for the Mid-Fairfield Rangers of Connecticut’s Mid-Fairfield Youth Hockey Association, where he was coached by former NHL star Martin St. Louis, who he credits for helping his development.[7] He also played for Don Bosco Preparatory High School.[8]
He was selected to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and won a gold medal.[9][10] He had a goal and three assists during the tournament, including an assist on the go-ahead goal in the deciding game against Sweden.[9][11] He previously won a gold medal for the United States at the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championships.[8] He had a goal and two assists, as well as a +9 rating, in that tournament.[12]
Fortescue's cousin C.J. McGee is a professional ice hockey defenseman with the Savannah Ghost Pirates of the ECHL.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Mercogliano, Vincent Z. (September 11, 2024). "NY Rangers 2024 prospect rankings: Part 1, Nos. 6-10". Lohud. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ Walker, Mollie (June 29, 2023). "Rangers trade up to pick New York native Drew Fortescue at 2023 NHL Draft". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ a b c Fischler, Stan (October 14, 2024). "The Rangers Best NCAA Prospect You Never Heard About". The Hockey News. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ a b c Henes, Sam (March 20, 2024). "Rangers' Understated Prospect Drew Fortescue Developing at BC". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Mercogliano, Vincent Z. (December 27, 2023). "What to know about the Rangers' prospects". Asbury Park Press. p. B4. Retrieved 2024-10-13 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Rankin, Kim (September 20, 2024). "2024-25 Boston College Men's Hockey Player Profile: Drew Fortescue". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Cowan, Stu (December 22, 2023). "Canadiens' Martin St. Louis had big impact while coaching youth hockey". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ a b c Rapay, Eugene (April 11, 2024). "Don Bosco alums leaving a mark on college hockey". Herald-News. pp. S1, S3. Retrieved 2024-10-13 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Mercogliano, Vincent Z. (January 5, 2024). "Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault, Drew Fortescue capture World Juniors gold with Team USA". Lohud. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Walker, Mollie (December 24, 2023). "Gabe Perreault headlines Rangers prospects competing at World Junior Championship". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Kennedy, Ryan (January 5, 2024). "USA Beats Sweden for 2024 World Juniors Gold". The Hockey News. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ Walker, Mollie (June 29, 2023). "Inside look at Rangers' second-day 2023 NHL Draft picks". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-10-14.