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New York Rangers: PDC Prospect Profile: Brogan Rafferty

By Sean Raggio

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 29: New York Rangers Defenseman Brogan Rafferty (71) skates during the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 29: New York Rangers Defenseman Brogan Rafferty (71) skates during the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The New York Rangers held their annual prospect development camp (PDC) the week of Monday, June 25-Friday, June 29. They invited 14 defensemen to the PDC. One of those defensemen was Quinnipiac University’s Brogan Rafferty. 

The New York Rangers are looking to add youth and speed to their lineup and especially on the back-end.

The rising-junior, puck-moving defenseman was the first freshman to lead the Bobcats in assists in his first season since forward Matthew Peca. Peca has since seen NHL ice time with the Tampa Bay Lightning since being drafted in the 7th round in 2011 and has signed a contract with Montreal. 

Rafferty’s collegiate start

The Dundee, Illinois native racked up a two goals and 24 points in 40 games for his freshman campaign. This includes a goal and 13 points on the power play. His sophomore season saw the Bobcats struggling in most areas. It resulted in a four goal and 17 point season with only one point on the power play, a goal.

However, the lack of power play production in his sophomore year isn’t something that you should lose some sleep over. The Bobcats were under 20-percent on the power play for the season and generally had trouble finding the back of the net.

The Bobcats averaged under three goals-per-game despite having the most shots in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). They only had four players with double-digit goal totals on the year.

Rafferty started his hockey career as a forward. He switched to defense going into his senior year of high school, according to a 2016 article from the New Haven Register.

Despite this transition and his obvious offensive prowess, he quickly established himself as one of the team’s top-4 defensemen. He doesn’t let his defensive play slide as a result of his offensive ability. Rafferty quietly finished third on the team with 43 blocked shots during his sophomore campaign.

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A look to the future

Last season saw the emergence of freshman forward Odeen Tufto with a team-leading 41 point season for the Bobcats. In addition, Junior forward Alex Whelan will be looking to top his career high 16 goal season. With help from Tufto and Whelan, and Rafferty receiving ice time with senior defenseman Chase Priskie, he should be looking at a 20-30 point season.

It’s obvious that the Rangers need to revamp their defense, and this rebuild is exactly how they’re going to do it. Six out of their 10 draft picks at the 2018 draft were defensemen. 23-year-old Rafferty is undrafted, but was also at the Chicago Blackhawks’ professional development camp last summer. 

The Rangers have shown that they don’t have a problem putting their faith in an undrafted player. Some notable players have spent time as a Blueshirt despite being undrafted. Dan Girardi, Dan Boyle and former Rangers captain Kelly Kisio to name a few.

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Having been to two prospect development camps and still having two years to further develop in college, Rafferty has a good chance to make an NHL lineup by time his collegiate career is over. The next question is where.

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