The NHL may be paused for the Milano Cortna 2026 Winter Olympic games, but other leagues like the OHL remain in action. The OHL is home to many different players, including New York Rangers' 2025 NHL Draft pick Artem Gonchar. The pick was an interesting one at the time given that Gonchar was a pretty small defenseman, but he's held his own so far this year, and could be someone of interest for the Rangers a couple of years from now.
Gonchar has successfully made the leap to the OHL
Gonchar has appeared in 49 games for the Sudbury Wolves this season, and the budding blueliner has 10 goals, 28 assists, and 38 points thus far. He is third on his team in scoring, and among draft eligible +1 defenders, Gonchar is third in the OHL in points. He's played in more games than some of the players around him on the list, but his 0.78 points per game average is respectable. In the long run the Rangers could use an offensive minded defender like Gonchar, and it is nice to see that element of his game has been solid as a rookie in a new league.
"I started caring more about defense"
Gonchar's offensive upside is something that most scouts didn't worry about, Sergei is his uncle after all, but defense and physicality was something to keep an eye on given his sleight frame. That element of his game is something that he realizes needs to get better, and The Sudbury Star had a very encouraging story on the Rangers' prospect back in December.
Via Ben Leeson:
“It was hard the first time, getting used to the North American style of hockey,” admitted Gonchar, speaking through Sudbury teammate and translator Vladimir Provorov. “But I’m getting better, so it’s easier for me now.”
“I started caring more about defense and also playing more physical, tried to hit more,” Gonchar explained. “For me, it’s important for my team to win, so I try to help the team to score more and the other team less.”
It is nice to see Gonchar have this awareness as a youngster, and him step out of his comfort zone by trying to play more physical and engage opponents with contact. He's still got some growing to do, and that part of his game will be more natural once he's got more meat on his bones. What fans should really be excited about is the perception that Wolves' Head Coach Scott Blarney has about Gonchar, and it really speaks to the progress he's making.
"He’s really trying to battle on the D side. It’s obviously not easy earlier on with the language barrier and we were having Provorov help, but now, he’s on his own and he’s a smart kid and I think he really understands what we’re saying. He’s a smart hockey player and when he visually sees what we want on video or drawing, applies it to his game."
Gonchar's timeline is to be determined
Gonchar was drafted out of the MHL, and he spent his last season playing with Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk. He finished the season with seven goals, 18 assists, and 25 points in 50 games, and he's already exceeded that production in a stronger league. That he's also making strides in other parts of his game is encouraging, and something to keep an eye on.
That said, Gonchar is 19, and will turn 20 during next season. That means his next year will be an overage season, so it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop, and how his transition to the AHL goes. Ideally the Rangers will have made some changes to how the Wolf Pack are run by then, because they want to make sure they don't stymie Gonchar's development. Hartford is once again struggling to compete, and they aren't an effective development ground for youngsters.
Gonchar is a left handed defenseman, and that is an area where the Rangers could use some help over the next few years. If all goes to plan, he can become a fixture on the second or third pair, but a lot will have to go right for him between now and then. He's off to a good start, and the pick doesn't look as wacky as it initially did.