Rangers’ Prospect Drew Fortescue Can Develop Into a Key Player – The Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

Last season, the Rangers’ lack of depth on defense became an issue as Adam Fox spent two stints on long-term injured reserve, and they struggled while he was out. This offseason, they have added key blueliners through trades and drafted Alberts Smits fifth overall. Though they have more depth now, 21-year-old prospect Drew Fortescue can still contribute this season and develop into a key defenseman for years to come.

Fortescue’s Rise as a Prospect

The Rangers drafted Fortescue late in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft, and he spent the next three seasons playing for Boston College. He was steady defensively, rarely caught out of position, and at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, he used his size and reach effectively. He still chipped in offensively and got shots from the point through traffic, finishing the 2023-24 season with four goals and four assists in 40 games. He was also strong defensively in the World Junior U-20 Championships and had one goal and three assists in seven games as he helped the United States win gold.

Fortescue continued to develop at Boston College and earn trust with his reliable play in 2024-25. The team could rely on him to make good decisions late in close games, and he finished with no goals and 11 assists in 36 games. He once again helped the United States win gold at the World Junior U-20 Championships, and he made some key defensive plays even though he was held without a point in seven games.

As a junior last season, Fortescue was one of Boston College’s top players, and he continued to get more confident and improve offensively. He finished with four goals and 10 assists in 35 games and then signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers.

Fortescue made his NHL debut late in the season for the Rangers. He looked comfortable making the jump to the NHL, and he was steady defensively, made smart pinches in the offensive zone, and finished with two assists in nine games. He is a good skater and is solid all-around, without any glaring weaknesses.

Depth on Defense

This offseason, the Rangers made some key changes on defense, including trading Will Borgen to the Boston Bruins, acquiring Sean Durzi from the Utah Mammoth, and acquiring Marcus Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks. Last season, they struggled to find a reliable second defense pair, but the hope is that Durzi and Pettersson can play well together this season.

Last season, the Rangers’ top defense pair of Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov was excellent, but injuries to Fox exposed New York’s lack of depth on defense. If they can both stay healthy this season, they can be a great top pair.

The Rangers also have Braden Schneider and Matthew Robertson on defense, and they could end up forming the third pair. Both have size, play with physicality, and can contribute on the penalty kill. Though Schneider is still just 24, he has spent most of the past five seasons on New York’s third line, while Robertson, who is 25, had a solid rookie season in 2025-26.

In addition to their established players, Smits, who is just 18, has a chance to make the opening night lineup. Fortescue could start the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL), which could help him adjust to playing professionally and develop. Whether he ends up playing a big role for the Rangers this season depends on how he performs and if New York’s other defensemen remain healthy. The hope is that regardless of where he plays, he will improve throughout the season.

A Valuable Prospect

Though Fortescue may not have the offensive upside of some other defense prospects, his strong defensive play and intelligence make him a valuable prospect. He can certainly produce more offensively as he continues to adjust to playing professionally. This will be an important season for him, whether he is in the NHL or the AHL, and he has the potential to one day develop into a reliable top-four defenseman for the Rangers.