Brennan Othmann is entering his fourth rookie camp with the New York Rangers. Though he has now become a leader among the prospects, Othmann has his sights set on a bigger goal. That would be making the opening-night Rangers roster.
After a strong first professional season with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League, Othmann believes he is ready to make the jump and become a full-time NHL player. He scored 21 goals and finished with 49 points in 67 games for the Wolf Pack, but what may have been more valuable to Othmann were the three games he played with the big club in New York.
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Aside from experience, what’s even better about Othmann’s short stint in New York was that it proved to him that he can hang with NHL-level talent. Entering rookie camp a bit heavier and ready to compete for a roster spot, the 21-year-old is budding with confidence.
“I think knowing that I can do it, being able to play at that level and that pace, knowing that I can play at that capacity, I think, and play with the players there,” Othmann said Wednesday. “I can handle myself.”
Though Othmann failed to record a point and had limited ice time in his three games with the Rangers in January, the 2021 first-round pick proved that he wasn’t overmatched at the NHL level. He even got a nod from coach Peter Laviolette, earning some minutes on the top line alongside Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Perhaps a slight glimpse into his future with the Rangers.
Now, Othmann will look to take that next step, which includes impressing at both rookie camp and training camp in order to secure a spot in the NHL. After last season, he feels that his game has really matured.
“I’ve really grown as a player in Hartford,” Othmann explained. “My offensive game and my defensive game has grown a lot too. I’m excited to show that this weekend and going forward.”
Brennan Othmann bulks up in bid to land spot with Rangers
Othmann bulked up this offseason to prepare for his next opportunity. His focus on gaining muscle should only help in his attempt to compete with NHL-caliber players. It will certainly help his physical style of play and ability to grind down opposing players, which are key ingredients in his game.
“Just getting bigger, putting on some weight,” said Othmann, who weighed 185 pounds last season. “I weighed in just over 190 here, so I’m pretty happy with that. That was the goal, was to get to 190, so I’m happy with that. I’ll be using that weight going forward. The way I play, you kind of need that weight, that corner weight.”
It is not going to be easy for Othmann to secure a spot on the opening-night roster with the Rangers. He is going to need a great camp and an even better preseason showing to prove to the staff that he is ready for this. He also has some competition to beat out, since the Rangers are so deep on the wing.
Even should Othmann begin the season in Hartford, there’s a feeling that he’s close to being an NHL player. And soon.
He’d just prefer sooner rather than later.
