The New York Rangers may not be off to the start they would have liked, but fortunately for them, they are getting some unexpected starts from prospects in the system. One such prospect finished with just one assist in 31 games last season, and through three games this season they already have two goals. It comes as a complete surprise, based on their archetype as a prospect, and if they can continue this level of play it would change everything for the Rangers.
EJ Emery is off to an amazing start
The Blueshirts drafted Emery 30th overall during the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, and picked him for his defensive game and innate ability to be a shutdown player who is tough to play against. Emery was quite impactful for Team USA's U18 team at the WJC tournament held before the draft, and the blueliner tallied six assists in seven games.
The 2024-25 campaign was Emery's freshman season at the University of North Dakota, and the Rangers' prospect appeared in 31 games and tallied just one assist. The Rangers drafted him for his defensive impact, but having just one assist was something to keep an eye on. In the modern NHL, defensemen need to be capable of generating offense in addition to whatever defense they bring, and not being able to contribute even a smidge of offensive could hurt a prospect's chances of having an impact at the NHL level.
Luckily for Emery, and by extension the Rangers, things are looking up for the time being.
What a time for your first career goal! 🙌
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) October 18, 2025
Sophomore EJ Emery buries his first in a @UNDmhockey uniform! 🎯
📺: @MidcoSports // https://t.co/ZyUdpPaF0J#theNational // #UNDproud pic.twitter.com/eP8BKpPPfT
Saving all his goals for the right moment! 💥
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) October 18, 2025
Emery buries his second of the night to put @UNDmhockey in front!
📺: @MidcoSports // https://t.co/ZyUdpPaF0J#theNational // #UNDproud // @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/3WtBdNzUgN
Emery scored the first two goals of his collegiate career in a 5-2 win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and it came at the perfect time. It is still very early to see how the rest of the season will go, but having a quiet freshman year and then improving in subsequent seasons wouldn't be a new development for the Rangers.
Brady Skjei famously tallied just three points during his rookie campaign, but he followed that up with 14 points as a sophomore, and 10 as a junior, and has gone on to have a successful career as a defenseman. His career high in points to date is 47, and he also had an 18-goal season. This is not to say that it will happen for Emery, but you don't wanna rule out his potential too early.