The New York Rangers selected Drew Fortescue in the third round, 90th overall, in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old is a New York native, but is currently playing his college hockey at Boston College. The Eagles are 9-3-0 on the season, and Fortescue's security on the back end is a big part of why.
Fortescue's Weekend Against Northeastern
This past weekend, Boston College and Fortescue faced off against rival school Northeastern University in a home-and-home series, playing on Friday night at Boston College, and Saturday night at Northeastern.
Boots on the ground at Conte Forum for Boston College 🦅 vs Northeastern 🐾
— Dan Godlewski (@Danthfc_) November 22, 2024
Spending the night focused on #NYR prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue @BlueLineStation pic.twitter.com/qPiHhZx4VV
Friday night saw a dream scenario for Boston College with the Eagles winning 3-0 comfortably in front of a home crowd, and Fortescue doing his job to a tee. The 19-year-old defenseman was calm under pressure in his own end, often finding space to make crisp breakout passes- even with Northeastern forecheckers bearing down on him.
Fortescue effectively used all of his 6'2 frame, boxing out opposing players in front of his own goal, and contributing meaningfully to the Eagles shutout win on Friday night. This ability came especially in handy when Fortescue was tapped for the penalty kill twice throughout the night.
Saturday night at Northeastern was a much different story for the Eagles. Northeastern came out flying, scoring three goals in the first period and never relinquishing their lead. The good news for Rangers fans is that, on a night where Boston College had to kill four penalties, and allowed a total of four goals, Fortescue still ended the night with a plus-minus of zero, being on the ice for one of BC's only goals of the game.
Boston College gets a goal back to make it 2-1 Northeastern! #NYR draft pick Drew Fortescue gets a +1 as he was on the ice #NYRangers #BCHockey @BlueLineStation pic.twitter.com/5lfBgR6HLO
— Dan Godlewski (@Danthfc_) November 24, 2024
Somewhat surprisingly, the young defenseman showed some offensive prowess, recording Boston College's first two shots on goal of the night, after swapping spots with a forward and creeping down the side wall mid-play. Fortescue would end the game with three shots on goal, on a night when, according to Boston College Head Coach Greg Brown:
""It felt like it was really hard to get pucks through to the net, especially in the third""Greg Brown, BC Head Coach
Fortescue is currently a plus-nine on the season for Boston College, good for fifth best on the team. If the Rangers prospect can continue to develop his defensive responsibility and provide favorable goal-scoring minutes, he could become a meaningful contributor on the back end for the Rangers in the future.