The New York Rangers rookie camp has officially begun, with several key prospects look to make an impression before the start of training camp ahead of the 2024-25 season.
After two days of practice, the Rangers rookies play two exhibition games against the Philadelphia Flyers rookies on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET and Saturday at 5:00 p.m. ET. Some of the big names participating include forwards Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, and Adam Sykora, each fighting for a roster spot. Other prospects to keep tabs on are defenseman Matthew Robertson and center Bryce McConnell-Barker. Robertson enters his fourth year as a seasoned pro veteran, while McConnell-Barker enters his first professional season.
On Thursday's media availability, McConnell-Barker, Robertson and Berard met with the media to discuss camp so far and their goals.
Bryce McConnell-Barker So Far
McConnell Barker enters rookie camp ahead of his first professional season. Last year, the 20-year-old center had a strong two-way season in the Ontario Hockey League with the Soo Greyhounds. He finished with 51 points in 52 games and 22 goals. The season prior, he reached 30 goals and 77 points in 68 games as more of a one-dimensional player.
Barker got a small taste of professional hockey at the end of last season, suiting up in four playoff games with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
The Rangers are already packed right now in the center position with Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, Filip Chytil and Sam Carrick as their top-four. Jonny Brodzinski is no slouch either, sitting next in line at the position.
However, that’s not stopping McConnell-Barker from keeping his sights high.
"It's really exciting, my first year pro," McConnell-Barker said. "I got a taste of it the last two years, I was able to have a few months in Hartford the past two seasons. So I've gotten a taste of pro hockey, gotten a sense of what it's like. I'm really looking forward to it and am trying to put my best foot forward here and make a good impression and try and make the big squad this year."
Matthew Robertson So Far
Many were surprised when Robertson was re-signed by the Rangers this offseason. The No. 49, second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft hasn’t exactly stood out amongst the rest in his first three seasons as a pro.
Robertson scored four goals and had 21 points in 68 games last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League. He added one assist in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment for Robertson was that when the Rangers needed to call up a defenseman during the season, they picked other players. Instead of him, Connor Mackey and Brandon Scanlin were recalled at separate times for Hartford, each playing one game with the Rangers.
In fact, Robertson is still waiting to make his NHL debut after three seasons in the AHL.
Hense his presence at rookie camp. Robertson isn’t thinking too much about the past as he goes through this and eventually training camp. His focus is on the task at hand.
"For me, I'm coming here trying to make the team out of camp," Robertson said. "I'm here at rookie camp now to get some extra skates in, some games and I think it's a good opportunity to prove myself each day and to build on each day and keep my confidence high ... I'm just trying to come in and play the best version of myself."
Brett Berard So Far
Berard enters this year’s rookie camp as one of the top prospects in the New York Rangersorganization. The 22-year-old forward is looking to build on a strong rookie pro season, and maybe even earn a spot on the Rangers roster.
Berard played well with the Wolf Pack last season, scoring 25 goals and finishing with 48 points in 71 games. He led the team, and was second among AHL rookies, in goals. Berard then added a goal and five assists in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games.
"I put on a couple more pounds ," Berard said. "I'm just under 180 now which is nice. And then skating, that's the big thing I've been working on. My speed can never be too fast so that and I'm trying to use my powerful stride to my advantage. It's something I've definitely been working on this summer and I hope it translates on the ice."
While top Rangers prospect Othmann may get the first nod at a roster spot, Berard is right there with him after opening eyes with such a strong season in 2023-24. The two highly-touted Ranger prospects have gotten close through development camps and their time together in Hartford, and we could definitely see them playing out on the ice together at Madison Square Garden.
Day 1 in the books. pic.twitter.com/XBCigdmiyv
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 11, 2024
Rookie camp is on-going, and more updates will soon follow.