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NY Rangers go off the board to select nephew of Stanley Cup winner with pick No. 89

President and General Manager Chris Drury took two defenseman back-to-back with his second and third round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. Here's a look at who he took with pick No. 89 in the third round.
ByJennifer Streeter|
2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Round 2-7
2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft - Round 2-7 | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Entering the 2025 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers had a very clear need for defensemen, but specifically a big, strong and physical defenseman.

While not the most physical guy, President and General Chris Drury got his selection in for a defenseman with his third selection off the boards in this year's event at the Los Angeles Peacock Theater. For Drury, not only was pick No. 70 a defenseman (6'5", 214 pound 18-year-old), but so was pick No. 89, and this defender is on the opposite side of the size spectrum.

Here's a look at who Drury selected in the third round.

Who is Artyom Gonchar?

In our pre-draft content, I wrote on a number of occasions that the Rangers needed a young defenseman with some height.

Artyom Gonchar fits that profile. Standing at an even 6'0" and weighing 156 pounds — Gonchar is known to be a dynamic defenseman with quick hands and solid puck skills.

Gonchar had a strong season in the Russian junior league, with 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 50 regular-season games for the Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk in the MHL. His play is highlighted by his ability to join the rush and start plays in addition to working hard to get back in his own zone.

Another player with a strong hockey IQ and family history of the sports (he's the nephew of Stanley Cup champion Sergei Gonchar), Artem also possesses an excellent eye for making the smart pass on the ice.

As long as Gonchar continues his development and puts on some pounds, he'll be great addition to the Rangers' blueline.

Other Rangers 2025 Draft picks so far

The Rangers selected left wing Malcolm Spence as their first overall selection at No. 43 and then defenseman Sean Barnhill at No. 70. Barnhill has experience with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL and Spence of the OHL and Canada.

Following taking Spence at No. 43, Barnhill and No. 70 and now Gonchar at No. 89, Drury and the rest of the Rangers' front office shift their focus to No. 111 in the fourth, No. 139 in the fifth, Nos. 166 and 171 in the sixth, and — finally — No. 203 in the seventh round.