Rangers Prospects Shine Bright: NCAA Action Packed Highlights

As we waved goodbye to 2023 and welcomed 2024, our eyes were glued to the NCAA action, and there were some enthralling moments for our New York Rangers prospects. We've talked about Gabe Perrault and Drew Fortescue leading the charge for Boston College and taking the NCAA by storm. Yet there are other Blueshirts prospects in action, too.

Unfortunately, Jaroslav Chmelar is still sidelined for the Providence College Friars as he recovers from wrist surgery. The talented forward, drafted by the New York Rangers in the fifth round in 2021, isn't expected to return to action until later February or early March. Before his injury, Chmelar was on fire, racking up five goals and nine assists for fourteen points in just sixteen games.
As for the Friars' recent games, they had a mixed bag against Alaska Anchorage. They clinched a solid 2-0 victory on Friday but couldn't find their footing on Saturday, getting blanked 4-0.

Harvard's captain, Zakary Karpa, showed his leadership skills on Friday with a shorthanded secondary assist in their 6-3 victory over Rensselaer. Despite the win, he managed just one shot on goal but excelled in the faceoff circle, going 13-6. However, Saturday's game against Union College was a more challenging outing for Karpa. In the 5-4 overtime loss, he had another shot on goal and went 10-10 on faceoffs but couldn't contribute to the scoresheet. So far this season, Karpa has struggled to find his offensive rhythm, tallying only four points in sixteen games.

Yet let's not forget Karpa's standout performance in the New Year's Eve showdown against UConn, which garnered national attention on ESPNU and ESPN+. Despite UConn's strong start, Karpa led impressive rushes, showcasing his skills on the ice. Although Harvard fell short with a 4-2 loss, Karpa made his mark with one goal, one point, and one shot. He also demonstrated his clever delay tactics following icings, allowing his teammates to regroup.

Looking ahead, Karpa's not just a player; he's a leader. At 6'2" and 190 lbs, he brings both size and leadership qualities to the team, which earned him the captaincy of his peers. With his commitment and determination, expect Karpa to continue making an impact, both on and off the ice, throughout his senior year.

Rangers Prospects: Laba's Heroics and Lamb's Dominance:

There was also Noah Laba, who's been a star for Colorado College. In Friday night's showdown against the Miami RedHawks, Laba was in the zone. He notched a goal and an assist, playing a crucial role in the Tigers' 2-1 comeback victory. Laba stepped up on the power play and deflected teammate Chase Foley's shot into the net, tying up the game.

Laba didn't stop there. He also made a critical defensive play that set up the game-winning goal, earning him the well-deserved title of first star of the game. He was the MVP of the night with one goal, one assist, three shots on goal, and an impressive 7-9 record on faceoffs.

He also found the back of the net on Saturday, tallying his eleventh goal of the season and adding to his team-leading total of nineteen points. He again dominated in the faceoff circle, going 11-5.

Laba also showcased his skills against top-ranked opponents, netting two goals against ACHA M1 powerhouse Minot State. Despite tough competition from NCAA D1 schools like Denver and Colorado, Minot State held its own despite losing 7-1 and 9-3, respectively.

And let's not forget his clutch performance on January 16th, when Laba scored the game-winning goal to lead the Tigers to a thrilling 3-2 rally against Minnesota Duluth. With a two-point night and a solid +2 rating, he proved he could rise to the occasion against the best.
With Laba leading the charge, the Colorado College Tigers are a team to watch out for in the NCHC, with Laba leading the way.

Another Rangers prospect leading the way is Brody Lamb of the Minnesota Golden Gophers as they faced off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in a thrilling series!
First up, Friday's showdown. The Golden Gophers came out strong, securing a solid 5-2 victory. While Lamb didn't notch any stats in this game, he laid the groundwork for what would come.
Fast forward to Saturday, and Lamb was ready to make his mark. He sealed the deal with an empty-net goal and added an assist to his name while earning a solid +2 rating. With that performance, he bumped up his season totals to ten goals and eight assists for eighteen points in twenty-four games played.

Yet it wasn't just about the stats for Lamb. Throughout the game, he showcased his hard work and determination, battling it out in the corners and outworking his opponents to win those crucial puck battles. That kind of grit can make all the difference on the ice.
With the sweep against Ohio State, Minnesota's looking strong with a 14-6-4 record. And they're not slowing down anytime soon! Next, they'll hit the road to East Lansing, Michigan, for a pair of games against the Michigan State Spartans.

It’s part of an epic weekend of college hockey with massive matchups like #1 BU vs #2 BC, #3 Mich St vs #11 Minnesota, #6 NDakota vs #7 Denver, #4 Wisco vs #13 Michigan, Quinnipiac vs Yale, Cornell vs Harvard, and St. Lawrence vs Clarkson.