Gаbe Perreаult toрs New York Rаngers NCAA рrosрeсts аһeаd of 2024-25 seаson

   

As Rod Stewart sings in “Maggie May,” his 1971 hit song, “It’s late September and I really should be back at school.” With the seasons changing from summer to fall, hockey is back both at the professional level and in the collegiate ranks of the NCAA. The New York Rangers are in the midst of their second training camp under coach Peter Laviolette, though several of key their prospects are on campuses preparing to chase the national championship.

NCAA Hockey: Frozen Four

Two of general manager Chris Drury’s picks in the 2023 NHL Draft are sophomores at Boston College. First-round pick Gabe Perreault and defenseman Drew Fortescue, a third-round selection, played prominent roles for the Eagles last season, when BC finished 34-6-1 but lost to Denver University in the NCAA Championship Game.

Perreault was named a CCM/ACHA Second Team All-America and Hockey East Second-Team All-Star and New England All-Star after his freshman season. The 19-year-old forward finished second in Division I in assists with 41 and tied for fourth in points with 60 in 36 games played. He posted a plus-24 rating and had at least one point in 30 contests. Perreault also had 10 points in seven games to help the United States win the gold medal at the 2024 World Junior Championship.

Perreault is not big (5-foot-11, 165 pounds) but he’s expected to add size and strength as he matures. USA Hockey executive, and former Rangers goalie, John Vanbiesbrouck told Forever Blueshirts recently that he’s unconcerned about Perreault’s size.

“People may say they’re not so sure about him. I’m pretty sure about him,” Vanbiesbrouck said.

Part of the reason for that lack of concern is because of Perreault’s hockey IQ. Many hockey people point to Perreault, the son of longtime NHL center Yanic Perreault, as being a step or two ahead of most other players in how well he reads plays and anticipates opportunities.

There’s a good chance he’ll sign his entry-level contract after his sophomore season with BC. But for now Perreault is focused on trying to capture an NCAA title and helping the United States win the 2025 WJC.

“Just focused on having another big year at school … hopefully win the national championship and then when that times I’ll probably discuss it with my family, my agent, obviously the Rangers see where they think I’m at, see where I think I’m at and make a decision from there,” Perreault said at Rangers development camp in July.

Fortsecue skated in 40 games for Boston College during his freshman season in 2023-24, posting a plus-13 rating and blocking 31 shots. He scored four goals and had four assists for eight points, numbers that could improve dramatically if he is given more power-play time during his sophomore season.

Fortescue joined Perreault in helping the United States win the gold medal at the 2024 WJC, finishing with one goal and three assists for four points in seven games. He was often tasked with shutting down the opposition’s top offensive players while skating on the top defensive pair for the U.S. Fortescue is expected to fill the same role again in the 2025 tournament, when the U.S. will be favored to repeat as champions. Similar to Perreault, Fortescue will have to make a decision in the spring about whether to turn pro or continue his development at the collegiate level.

Boston College was picked to finish first in Hockey East in 2024-25 by the league’s coaches, receiving nine first-place votes in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll released by the league office.

The Eagles are coming off a season in which they won their 18th Hockey East regular-season title and 12th Hockey East Tournament Championship. In the U.S. College Hockey Online Division I Men’s Preseason Poll released Sept. 23, BC was ranked second, receiving six first-place votes. BC begins its season with two games at Michigan State on Oct. 11-12. Its Hockey East schedule begins Nov. 8 against Maine.

E.J. Emery among other Rangers prospects chasing NCAA title this season

E.J. Emery – photo courtesy USA Hockey

Two other teams with Rangers prospects who could be in the mix for the NCAA Frozen Four are out west competing in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. New York’s most recent top pick, EJ Emery, will become a trailblazer when he plays for the University of North Dakota this fall. The 18-year-old defenseman from Surrey, British Columbia, a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, will become North Dakota’s first Black player since Akil Adams during the 1993-94 season.