Rangers sign 6’7” red-hot prospect to entry-level contract

The New York Rangers have been stockpiling giants like Matt Rempe, Adam Edstrom, and Dylan Roobroeck over the past few seasons, and they just signed another one to an entry-level contract who can join the AHL once his career with the Flint Firebirds is over this spring.

Nathan Aspinall signs three-year entry-level contract

The Rangers have rewarded Aspinall for having a hot start to the season in which he's scored six goals and added four assists for 10 points in just six games. Aspinall is another future big boy Blueshirt at 6'7", I will pause here while you inevitable do the hand gesture, and his growth this season is the continuation of something that has been a trend since he joined the OHL. The team even recognized Aspinall for that earlier this month by naming him the eighth captain in the history of the Firebirds.

Aspinall skated in 62 games last season for Flint in the regular season, and the behemoth winger scored 17 goals while adding 30 assists for 47 points. The 2024-25 season was an improvement for Aspinall, as he finished with 13 more points while appearing in three fewer games (34 points in 65 games in 2023-24).

The Rangers' newest signed prospect is adept at using his frame to his advantage, and a hallmark of his game is screening goaltenders, creating havoc in the slot, and using his stick to tip and deflect pucks. He's got a decent set of hands for a bigger guy, and he's a pretty decent passer. Aspinall is the latest iteration of an archetype the Rangers have honed in on, and that's bigger players who skate well and can do more than just hit and or fight.

This start the season is very encouraging, and the continued progress year over year is great to see. This is his fourth OHL season, and he's leveled up over the course of each season. He appeared in 29 games as a rookie, and tallied a goal and three assists for four points. He took a big jump in his sophomore season, and a smaller one the following year, and the hope is that given his amazing start to the 2025-25 season, what should be his final OHL season will be one to remember.