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Rangers Rising: Prospects Sparkle in College Hockey Showdowns

By Marvin Azrak

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 8: Brody Lamb #17 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers skates against the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Frozen Four Championship Final at the Amaile Arena on April 8, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. The Bobcats won 3-2 on a goal ten seconds into overtime. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 8: Brody Lamb #17 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers skates against the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Frozen Four Championship Final at the Amaile Arena on April 8, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. The Bobcats won 3-2 on a goal ten seconds into overtime. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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Check out how New York Rangers prospects lit up the college hockey scene with standout performances in recent games. Exciting times ahead for the Blueshirts!

Hey there, Rangers fans; it’s time for a prospect update! We had some of our New York Rangers prospects in NCAA action over the weekend, and there’s some exciting news to share. So, grab your favorite jersey, and let’s dive into the highlights and stats:

Futures on Fire: Rangers Prospects Steal the College Hockey Spotlight:

Let’s start with the star of the weekend, Brody Lamb. The sophomore forward is making waves. He scored twice in a matter of minutes during the third period and added an assist for good measure. His performance was pivotal in the new No 1 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers’ thrilling 6-5 overtime victory against the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies on a Jimmy Snuggerud overtime tally. He was named the third star of the game. Brody’s off to a flying start, with 3 goals and 4 points, setting high expectations for the season ahead.

Drew Fortescue, the freshman defenseman, had a memorable moment. The Rangers 20023 third-round pick (90th overall) netted his first NCAA goal, helping the third-ranked Boston College Eagles secure a 4-2 victory over the Long Island University Sharks. And he did it when his team needed it most, tying the game at 2-2 and helping BC overcome a 2-0 deficit.

Drew finished the night at +1. His fellow Rangers prospect, Gabe Perrault, the 2023 first-round pick (23rd overall), might not have scored, but he held his own with a respectable performance.

For Providence, Jaroslav Chmelar is on fire for the Friars. He notched his second goal of the season with a slick backhander, contributing to the tenth-ranked Friars’ 7-1 win over Stonehill College. Jaroslav is proving himself, and if he keeps this up, he might find himself climbing up the lineup.

Down in Omaha, Victor Mancini shone for the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks in their 8-1 win over the Niagara University Purple Eagles. He played a crucial role in two goals and showed a strong presence with three shots on goal. Although he’s still hunting for his first NCAA goal, his playmaking prowess has been on display.

Hugo Ollas made his season debut for the 15th-ranked Merrimack College Warriors against Arizona State University Sun Devils. He had a solid performance, stopping 27 of 30 shots for a .900 save percentage. While the Warriors didn’t grab the win in a 4-2 loss, Hugo is ready to shine in the coming games.

Meanwhile, Noah Laba made his regular season debut for the Colorado College Tigers and made it count. He notched not one but two goals, including the game-winner, in a 6-2 victory against Union College. Noah showcased his expertise in even-strength and powerplay situations, proving why he’s on the first line for the Tigers.

Junior defenseman Hank Kempf played for the Cornell Big Red in an exhibition game against Toronto Metropolitan University. He might not have scored any goals, but Hank showed his commitment to solid defense with two shots on goal, finishing the game at +1.

Down in New Hampshire, the Terriers were in the spotlight. Freshman Macklin Celebrini, projected to be the top pick in the 2024 NHL draft, had an impressive game, scoring two career-high goals. His classmate Tom Willander also made a memorable collegiate debut with a goal and an assist. BU held a 3-2 lead in the first period, but New Hampshire fought back with three unanswered goals to secure a 6-4 win.

Junior Luke Tuch opened his season with a goal, and freshman Aiden Celebrini notched a pair of assists, marking his first points as a Terrier. Jack Harvey, another freshman, made his collegiate debut with an assist. Both sophomores Jeremy Wilmer and Lane Hutson added an assist, as did senior Dylan Peterson. Notably, Hutson reached his 50th career point with his contribution.

The following night, the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) crushed BU with an 8-2 victory. Cole Eiserman, projected as the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft and BU commit, was on fire with a hat trick and a five-point night. Macklin Celebrini, the projected No. 1 overall pick, remained off the scoresheet. BU had a tough night, but the future looks promising with these young talents.

More College Hockey Highlights:

  • Maine outshot RPI 57-13 in a convincing 4-1 win.
  • The Air Force surprised many with an upset victory over the 8th-ranked Michigan State, winning 6-4.
  • Alaska also had a standout game, taking down the 9th-ranked Michigan Tech with a 4-1 victory.
  • Holy Cross improved to 2-0 with a 2-1 win over the 20th-ranked UConn.
  •  Minnesota State delivered a shocker, stunning the 10th-ranked SCSU with a two-game sweep. They secured a 3-2 win in overtime and followed it up with a dominating 5-1 victory.
  •  Colin Graf made a spectacular return, racking up five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the reigning champion Quinnipiac Bobcats’ 8-0 win and series sweep over AIC.
  • UMass was surprised, defeating the 6th-ranked Michigan Wolverines 6-3.
  • Yet the sweetest moment of the week was Augustana winning their D1 debut with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bowling Green.

So, there you have it, Rangers fans, a sneak peek into the performances of our talented prospects. It’s always a thrill to follow their progress in the NCAA, and we’ll be here to keep you updated as the season unfolds.

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