Why high-level Rangers prospect isn’t in rush to make leap to NHL

Drew Fortescue took a step forward this season.

As a sophomore at Boston College, the defenseman improved across the board, helping the Eagles finish first in Hockey East.

However, those strides weren’t enough to convince the Rangers’ 2023 third-round pick (90th overall) that he was ready to turn pro.

“I talked to the front office a little bit and kind of just think that’s best for my development going forward,” Fortescue, 20, said after the first day of the Rangers developmental camp for prospects at the MSG Training Center. “Right now I’m just focused on getting bigger and stronger. My plan is to continue to work on that and be ready for the following year.”

Fortescue’s college teammate, Gabe Perreault, made the leap in late March, signing a three-year, entry-level deal with the Rangers.

They took him in the first round (23rd overall) in 2023, and Perreault made his NHL debut with the Blueshirts on April 2. Fortescue was in attendance at the Garden that night.

Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue works out at their developmental camp for prospects on July 1, 2025

But Fortescue has displayed patience, believing for him it is smart to get another season in college before making the jump.

“Obviously, your goal is to do that,” the Pearl River native said, when asked about the temptation to go pro. “But I think what’s best for me, and talking to those guys in the player development staff, and being on the same page as all of them, my goal is to focus on the year coming up and we’ll see what happens going forward.

“Talking to everyone here, and on my end, too, it’s when I’m ready. It’s what they want as well. But I think putting on that weight, being a little bit more physically ready, is [important].”

Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue works out at their developmental camp for prospects on July 1, 2025

The 6-foot-1, 176-pound Fortescue, one of the organization’s top defensive prospects, finished the 2024-25 Boston College season with 11 assists in 36 games and a plus-28 rating, building off a quality freshman campaign.

“I thought it was good. I thought I made a little bit of a jump from my freshman year,” Fortescue said. “Like I’ve been saying, what I’ve been focusing on is putting on weight and being able to close plays in the corners and stuff. I thought I did a little bit better job of that, and I’m just continuing to work on that stuff going into next year.”