Carey Terrance thrilled to be reuniting with former junior hockey teammate on Rangers

In more ways than one, prospect Carey Terrance seems to be on the winning side since arriving in New York. 

Though it’s one thing to be ripped away from your developmental path, the 20-year-old now has the opportunity to play closer to home for the Rangers as he was a part of the return from the Ducks in the June trade for Chris Kreider. 

The Akwesasne native, who was drafted by Anaheim in the second round (59th overall) in 2023, doesn’t have family traveling as far to visit, and his two sisters go to school nearby, including one at Albany. 

“It’s surprising there’s not too many Rangers fans up back home,” Terrance said after the second day of the developmental camp for prospects at the MSG Training Center on Wednesday. “It’s mostly Montreal and Boston, but the ones that are Rangers fans were texting me right away and were really excited.” 

Carey Terrance was drafted by Anaheim in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

The center also will be reunited with one of his best friends and teammate Malcolm Spence, with whom he played the past three years with the Erie Otters. 

Before the Rangers drafted Spence 43rd overall last week, Terrance was shaking in anticipation. 

“I was actually sitting in my bed on the second day of the draft,” he said. “I put on the second round, and I see the Islanders have the pick before the Rangers and I’m like, ‘Ugh, they might draft him with [Matthew] Schaefer. Please don’t.’ And it didn’t happen.

Malcolm Spence stands onstage after being selected 43rd overall by the Rangers during the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2025 in Los Angeles.

“So, I was sitting there in my bed [saying], ‘Come on. Come on. Come on.’ And I was really excited for him when he got drafted. I sent a video to our group chat right away in Erie. I was really excited.” 

Though early in his career, Terrance didn’t take any great offense in the trade across the country.

He is turning pro this year and in taking that next step, he is just trying to get as ingrained with the Rangers as possible, starting with the development camp. 

Rangers rookie Carey Terrance when the team held its training for rookies on July 1, 2025 at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, NY.

“Hockey’s a business,” he said. “Everything happens for a reason, that’s kind of the way I took it. Anaheim drafted me and did really well with my development. I can’t thank them enough.” 

This past season in Erie, Terrance had 20 goals and 19 assists for 39 points across 45 games.

He also won a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. 

Ahead of training camp, Terrance is focusing on putting on more weight and honing in on what he prides himself to be, a “versatile” and “vocal” player.